Carrageenan is a substance used by the food industry as a thickener, which is obtained from the use of two types of boiled red algae, whose presence is typical of the Atlantic coasts. The algae used take the names of Chondrus crispus and Gigartina mamitiosa, better known as marine lichen and Iceland moss. Can the use of carrageenan be considered safe for our health?
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La carrageenan is a substance used by the food industry such as thickener, obtained by using two types of red algae, subjected to boiling, whose presence is typical of the Atlantic coasts. The algae used take the names of Chondrus crispus and Gigartina mamitiosa, better known as marine lichen and Iceland moss. The use of carrageenan can be considered safe for ours health?
Its presence in food is recognizable on the label through the code E 407. Its components are made up of calcium, magnesium, sodium and potassium salts, as well as galactose. It appears as an odorless, colorless or yellowish powder.
new Scientific studies, as reported by de The Food Fact, they raised gods doubts about safety of its use in food, so much so as to lead to the creation of one petition addressed to the FDA for the purpose of requesting the removing carrageenan from the list of safe additives and a real one dossier in this regard, published by The Cornucopia Institute.
According to reports from The Cornucopia Institute, carrageenan is increasingly linked to digestive related disorders, such as irritable bowel syndrome and abdominal swelling, up to more serious problems, such as ulcerative colitis and colon cancer. For decades, experts who have been involved in conducting laboratory experiments testing the commonly used food additive called carrageenan on animals have identified high rates of gastrointestinal inflammation, colitis-like disorders and colon cancer.
For the food industry, carrageenan would be an additive, to be used as gelling agent and thickener, particularly convenient. Its presence can be found in products such as puddings, ice creams, jams, whipped cream, vegetable milk or packaged cheeses (for example, in place of animal rennet), without forgetting baby food. It is sufficient to consult the Labels of the products on the shelves of the points of sale to check their content.
According to reports from The Cornucopia Institute, for decades food companies have spread incorrect information on the safety of carrageenan. Its presence can also be detected in food products labeled as "Organic" or defined as "Natural". The protests forwarded so far to the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) seem to have been unheard. For this reason, a new petition on the subject is ready, in order to obtain the removal of carrageenan from food production and from the list of safe ingredients.
Marta Albè
Company Thu the petition for eliminate carrageenan from the list of safe food additives.
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