Chemicals used in food IndustryChemicals used in food Industry Chemicals such as pesticides, antibiotics and Chemicals such as pesticides, antibiotics and

hormones are used in plant and animal farming hormones are used in plant and animal farming to boost production and ensure adequate food to boost production and ensure adequate food supply. supply.

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) sets the maximum allowed limits for agricultural sets the maximum allowed limits for agricultural and veterinary chemical residues present in and veterinary chemical residues present in foods in Australia (both domestic and imported foods in Australia (both domestic and imported foods).foods).

The levels of agricultural and chemical residues The levels of agricultural and chemical residues that are allowed in foods are considered safe that are allowed in foods are considered safe and must represent the lowest level possible and must represent the lowest level possible complying with best industry practices. complying with best industry practices. 

HarmsHarms of these pesticidesof these pesticides The use of pesticides can dramatically increase The use of pesticides can dramatically increase

crop production and ensure a higher quality of crop production and ensure a higher quality of produce.produce.

However, pesticides are also toxic chemicals However, pesticides are also toxic chemicals designed to kill agricultural pests, and some can designed to kill agricultural pests, and some can cause problems if they are consumed by cause problems if they are consumed by humans in large amounts. humans in large amounts. 

In animal farming, drugs such as antibiotics and In animal farming, drugs such as antibiotics and hormones are used to boost growth and cut hormones are used to boost growth and cut down on feed requirements. Residues of these down on feed requirements. Residues of these drugs can also be hazardous to humans. The drugs can also be hazardous to humans. The level of harm from exposure to pesticides, level of harm from exposure to pesticides, animal antibiotics and hormones is dose related, animal antibiotics and hormones is dose related, meaning the more you consume, the greater the meaning the more you consume, the greater the potential risk.potential risk.

Chemical sensitivities and foodChemical sensitivities and food

Some people are more sensitive than Some people are more sensitive than others to pesticide residues. others to pesticide residues.

However, allergic reactions and However, allergic reactions and sensitivities to naturally occurring sensitivities to naturally occurring chemicals – such as those found in eggs, chemicals – such as those found in eggs, shellfish, milk and nuts – are much more shellfish, milk and nuts – are much more

commoncommon

Pesticide residues and foodPesticide residues and food

The levels of pesticide residue in fruits and vegetables have been closely monitored in Australia for the past 30 years.

For most pesticides, a minimum time between spraying and harvesting of produce is set to ensure safe food. Levels of chemical residues in Australia are consistently found to be very low and well within safe limits.

Government-run produce-monitoring programs are Government-run produce-monitoring programs are in place to regulate the proper use of farm in place to regulate the proper use of farm chemicals such as pesticides. The amount of chemicals such as pesticides. The amount of pesticide residue in food depends on many pesticide residue in food depends on many

factors includingfactors including The type and amount of pesticide The type and amount of pesticide

usedused The amount of rain, wind and The amount of rain, wind and

sunshine that fell on the cropsunshine that fell on the crop The kind of processing that food The kind of processing that food

undergoes, such as storage time, undergoes, such as storage time, washing or peelingwashing or peeling

Balancing food supplyBalancing food supply The challenge is to balance a reliable, high quality The challenge is to balance a reliable, high quality

food supply with the need to protect the food supply with the need to protect the consumer from unnecessary exposure to consumer from unnecessary exposure to chemicals.chemicals.

Maximum limits for safe human consumption of Maximum limits for safe human consumption of pesticide residue include wide safety margins. pesticide residue include wide safety margins.

However, past experience has shown that, However, past experience has shown that, sometimes, a pesticide that is thought to be safe sometimes, a pesticide that is thought to be safe for human consumption has undesirable effects. for human consumption has undesirable effects.

One example is DDT because of its One example is DDT because of its environmental persistence environmental persistence

and ability to accumulate in body fat.and ability to accumulate in body fat. Although DDT is no longer used in Australian Although DDT is no longer used in Australian

crop production, it is still used in some countries.crop production, it is still used in some countries.

Organic fOOd & reducing Organic fOOd & reducing expOsure tO chemicalsexpOsure tO chemicals

Organic foodOrganic food :-:- Many people choose to buy Many people choose to buy organic produce to avoid pesticide residues. Organic organic produce to avoid pesticide residues. Organic farming grows produce without the use of synthetic farming grows produce without the use of synthetic

chemicalschemicals   To reduce your exposure to To reduce your exposure to

pesticides and other chemicals:pesticides and other chemicals: Thoroughly wash all fruits and vegetables.Thoroughly wash all fruits and vegetables. Buy organic produce.Buy organic produce. Grow your own vegetables.Grow your own vegetables.

Peel vegetables or remove the outer layer Peel vegetables or remove the outer layer of leaves.of leaves.

Trim visible fat from meats, as many Trim visible fat from meats, as many residues are fat soluble.residues are fat soluble.

Cook meat and chicken thoroughly.Cook meat and chicken thoroughly. Consume a variety of foods (including meat Consume a variety of foods (including meat

alternatives like legumes, tofu, nuts and alternatives like legumes, tofu, nuts and eggs) to reduce your intake of antibiotic-eggs) to reduce your intake of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, hormones and pesticides.resistant bacteria, hormones and pesticides.

1.1. Artificial Food ColorsArtificial Food Colors

Some of these coloring agents are allergenic and, even Some of these coloring agents are allergenic and, even worse, some have carcinogenic properties. Some worse, some have carcinogenic properties. Some artificial food colors are suspected of contributing to artificial food colors are suspected of contributing to hyperactivity, allergies, asthma, learning problems, and hyperactivity, allergies, asthma, learning problems, and concentration difficulties in children and adults. concentration difficulties in children and adults.

Specific foods to avoid include colored drinks, color-Specific foods to avoid include colored drinks, color-coated candies, gummy and chewy candies, and many coated candies, gummy and chewy candies, and many colored cereals. Be especially aware of additives when colored cereals. Be especially aware of additives when using vending machines.using vending machines.

2.2. Nitrites and Nitrates Nitrites and Nitrates

Nitrites and nitrates can develop into nitrosamines in the Nitrites and nitrates can develop into nitrosamines in the body, which can be carcinogenic. They are often found in body, which can be carcinogenic. They are often found in preserved meats, including bacon, hot dogs, bologna, and preserved meats, including bacon, hot dogs, bologna, and salami.salami.

33 .. SulfitesSulfites

Sulfites include sulfur dioxide in fruits, sulfites in Sulfites include sulfur dioxide in fruits, sulfites in grapes and wine, and metabisulfites in other grapes and wine, and metabisulfites in other foods, and they sometimes cause allergic foods, and they sometimes cause allergic reactions. or headaches, nausea, and diarrhea. reactions. or headaches, nausea, and diarrhea. Anyone suffering from allergies or asthma should Anyone suffering from allergies or asthma should minimize or avoid sulfated foods. minimize or avoid sulfated foods. 

4. Sugar4. Sugar

Sugar and high fructose corn syrup are a frequent additive, and its Sugar and high fructose corn syrup are a frequent additive, and its overuse can lead to numerous health issues including elevated blood overuse can lead to numerous health issues including elevated blood sugar, hypoglycemia, hyperactivity, yeast problems (candida), sugar, hypoglycemia, hyperactivity, yeast problems (candida), excessive food cravings, and increased triglycerides (blood fats). Sugar excessive food cravings, and increased triglycerides (blood fats). Sugar and sweeteners also contribute empty calories toward obesity, dental and sweeteners also contribute empty calories toward obesity, dental cavities, and diabetes.cavities, and diabetes.

5. Art if icial Sweeteners5. Art if icial Sweeteners

Saccharin has been linked with cancer in laboratory animals, but its Saccharin has been linked with cancer in laboratory animals, but its widespread use is on the decline. Still, other synthetic sweeteners like widespread use is on the decline. Still, other synthetic sweeteners like Aspartame, and acesulfame-K are widely used in soft drinks, candies, Aspartame, and acesulfame-K are widely used in soft drinks, candies, chewing gum and a variety of other products. Two research studies chewing gum and a variety of other products. Two research studies found aspartame to have caused brain tumors in lab animals, and it found aspartame to have caused brain tumors in lab animals, and it should be avoided by pregnant women and children under seven. should be avoided by pregnant women and children under seven. Another sweetener, sucrose, sold under the brand name Splenda, has Another sweetener, sucrose, sold under the brand name Splenda, has had very little long term research. had very little long term research. 

6. Preservatives6. PreservativesPreservatives such as BHA, BHT and EDTA are used in small Preservatives such as BHA, BHT and EDTA are used in small quantities in grain products like cereal, soup bases, and other foods quantities in grain products like cereal, soup bases, and other foods containing oil to prevent rancidity. These are potentially toxic to the containing oil to prevent rancidity. These are potentially toxic to the liver and kidneys, and they've been known to cause allergic reactions liver and kidneys, and they've been known to cause allergic reactions and neurotoxic effects. Children can be especially sensitive to and neurotoxic effects. Children can be especially sensitive to preservatives and they may cause behavioral changes and preservatives and they may cause behavioral changes and hyperactivity. Interestingly, BHT is prohibited as a food additive in hyperactivity. Interestingly, BHT is prohibited as a food additive in the UK.the UK.

7. Artificial Flavors7. Artificial Flavors

Artificial flavors represent the largest number of Artificial flavors represent the largest number of food additives. Most of the food products with food additives. Most of the food products with artificial flavor additives are highly processed. artificial flavor additives are highly processed. Both adults and children may exhibit allergic Both adults and children may exhibit allergic reactions and other health issues from these reactions and other health issues from these chemical flavorings.chemical flavorings.

8. Olestra8. OlestraOlestra is a synthesized fat substitute first used in Olestra is a synthesized fat substitute first used in potato chips. It's a non-absorbable oil polymer, potato chips. It's a non-absorbable oil polymer, thus it's not metabolized by the body. Certain thus it's not metabolized by the body. Certain consumers have reported digestive and other consumers have reported digestive and other problems from Olestra consumption, including problems from Olestra consumption, including diarrhea and abdominal cramping.diarrhea and abdominal cramping.

9. Salt9. Salt

Salt or sodium chloride is used by our Salt or sodium chloride is used by our bodies to maintain proper electrical bodies to maintain proper electrical conductivity within the cells and a variety conductivity within the cells and a variety of other essential functions. But eating of other essential functions. But eating too much salt can lead to fluid retention too much salt can lead to fluid retention and increased blood pressure. and increased blood pressure. 

10. Food packaging10. Food packagingPVC (polyvinyl chloride) is a known PVC (polyvinyl chloride) is a known carcinogen, and it's often used as plastic carcinogen, and it's often used as plastic food wrap. Many grocery stores seal food wrap. Many grocery stores seal meats and other foods in PVC wrap; a meats and other foods in PVC wrap; a particularly dangerous practice for warm particularly dangerous practice for warm or fatty foods, both of which help release or fatty foods, both of which help release the PVC into the food.the PVC into the food.

Autoimmune diseasesAutoimmune diseases:-:- a group of about 100 conditions in which a group of about 100 conditions in which

the body's immune system turns on the the body's immune system turns on the body itself -- are reaching epidemic body itself -- are reaching epidemic proportions. In the past decade, 15 top proportions. In the past decade, 15 top medical journals have reported rising medical journals have reported rising rates of lupus, multiple sclerosis, rates of lupus, multiple sclerosis, scleroderma, Crohn's disease, Addison's scleroderma, Crohn's disease, Addison's disease and polymyositis in industrialized disease and polymyositis in industrialized countries around the world. Over the past countries around the world. Over the past 40 years, rates of Type 1 diabetes have 40 years, rates of Type 1 diabetes have increased fivefold; in children 4 and increased fivefold; in children 4 and under, it's increasing 6 percent a year.under, it's increasing 6 percent a year.