Yellow #5

It's been a while since I posted anything health related. It's been all crafts and fun but today, I want to tell you about Yellow #5. This little fella is also known by the name of Tartrazine and it can be found everywhere from cakes to candies to yogurt, jam, noodles, cake mixes, crayons, soaps, hair products, moisturizers etc. The list is long!

Tartrazine causes many allergic and intolerance issues for people.Wikipedia lists some symptoms you might get from Yellow #5 :"ingestion, including anxiety, migraines, clinical depression, blurred vision, itching, general weakness, heatwaves, feeling of suffocation, purple skin patches, and sleep disturbance." Hmmm, sure sounds like something we shouldn't put in our bodies! Wikipedia also mentioned possible links to hives and asthma in kids, "as well as thyroid tumors and chromosomal damage, and hyperactivity." SERIOUSLY??? I decided to investigate further.

I wanted to find out if Yellow #5 causes cancer. Guess what? Several websites mentioned its probable link to cancer. So next time you're enjoying a piece of that store bought lemon crunch cake, remember you might as well be eating poison. I know it's a little harsh but that's the way I see it. I love lemon crunch cake by the way... Sigh.

Other issues with Yellow #5 are that it inhibits zinc metabolism and interferes with digestive enzymes. It may also cause altered states of perception and confusion. Sounds more like an illegal drug than food additive to me!

Norway has banned Tartrazine and so did Austria and Germany until the European Union vetoed that. The Food Standard office in the UK has issued a voluntary fade out of its use but it's still readily available for us here in the United States with no warning.

What could be used instead of Yellow #5? Many organic products use beta carotene; annatto, although also allergy causing, is another option.

Something to think about.