Food stabilizer Е 450: pyrophosphates. Harmful food additives

Almost all modern food products contain a wide variety of additives. Very often, or almost always, the consumer does not know about the harm that these or other stabilizers, food additives can cause. The truth about the components that are included in the finished product is carefully hidden by the manufacturers. In this article we will consider in more detail what pyrophosphates are, what their sphere of use and negative qualities are.

What is a stabilizer?

The food industry uses various additives to achieve a special color of the products, flavor and special qualities that will help preserve the presentation.

Stabilizer is a kind of inorganic compound that is actively used by producers to preserve the structure of the product for a long period of time. With the help of such substances, the product looks ready for use for a long time. It does not form slime, and it does not look viscous. Therefore, the shelf life of the product is increased.

What is pyrophosphate?

Pyrophosphate is an ether or salt of pyrophosphoric acid. Types of pyrophosphates and table of food additives will be considered below.

With the help of food phosphates, the color stabilizes and the consistency of the product improves, and oxidative processes are also slowed down. They have a bactericidal and antioxidant effect. They are actively used for preserving meat and can be used as a part of dairy products.

The pyrophosphate formula has the form: P ₂ O ₇ . Frequent use of them can disrupt the balance between calcium and phosphorus. As a result, calcium will be worse absorbed and begins to be deposited in the kidneys. This process will lead to the fact that the body will develop osteoporosis. If your diet contains a lot of phosphorus, then you need to be very careful about using foods with phosphates.

Classification of pyrophosphates

In all food production there are 8 kinds of pyrophosphates. Each is denoted by a Roman numeral. This index is recorded next to the name of the supplement E 450. This additive is the most famous among all used in the production of products. Consider the types of pyrophosphates in the table.

E450 (pyrophosphates): description

So, we learned what the stabilizer and pyrophosphate are, and examined their species. Now let's take a closer look at other food additives. The most famous of them is sodium and potassium pyrophosphate. The food industry is very actively using this additive, especially the meat-processing industry has succeeded in this. Consumers saw it on the labels of the product, but many do not know about its properties and how much it can be used to avoid exposing itself to risk.

Sodium pyrophosphate must be oxidized in order to obtain this known additive. Hydrochloric acid is used in this case as an oxidizing agent. This reaction results in the removal of water from the solution, and the formed compound retains moisture well. Thus, all known stabilizer E 450 is obtained. It contains canned meat, dairy products, juices, minced meat, confectionery.

In addition to cooking, this additive is in detergents, in preparations from insects, in various paints.

Why do we need this stabilizer?

Most often this stabilizer is used in the food industry as a baking powder, moisture retainer, acidity regulator. E 450 can be viewed under a microscope. There it has the appearance of a crystalline powder or white granules.

This additive is legal, so almost all manufacturers use it. The main function is to increase the volume and mass of the product. Therefore, its use is very beneficial to producers.

But in addition to this main function, the E 450 has other goals:

1. Makes the color uniform.
2. Improves consistency.
3. Suspends the natural acid processes.
4. Extends the expiration date.
5. Preserves the taste.

Pyrophosphates of potassium and sodium can form a uniform consistency, so the product remains fresh for a longer time and has a pleasant appearance.

Reaction of the body

Ukraine, Russia, EU countries consider pyrophosphates as permitted additives. The exception is the eighth species (dimagnesium pyrophosphate). He was already banned in the EU, but in Russia he is allowed. E 450 have a third class of danger, so they can not be called safe for the body.

It is believed that the small dosages of this food additive are completely harmless. But each organism is individual, and the reaction to the same amount of substance is also different. It is proved that due to this food additive the pressure increases, allergic reactions can occur, digestion deteriorates and the level of assimilation of necessary substances from food products decreases.

If you regularly eat E 450 (even in the smallest doses), sooner or later calcium and phosphorus will begin to be poorly digested. Calcium will be deposited in the kidneys, stones are formed, bone tissue will become fragile and possible problems with the teeth.

It is very carefully choose products in stores, it is better to avoid pyrophosphate E 450 in food. Scientists and physicians have calculated the maximum amount of this additive that can be consumed, 70 milligrams per kilogram of body weight.

Е 450: harm and negative influence

Above we considered several variants of negative effects on the human body. But this is not the whole list of shortcomings. Let us consider them in more detail. The onset of an imbalance between phosphorus and calcium was discussed above. Phosphorus in the body becomes larger, and calcium is less. In addition to the formation of kidney stones, there are problems with the musculoskeletal system. Treatment of osteoporosis is a very long and time-consuming process. It will be necessary to eat properly, keep to a diet, use vitamin D, which is necessary to calcium is better absorbed, as well as to engage in regular exercise.

But the musculoskeletal system is not the only part of the body that will suffer from the action of the stabilizer E 450. The cardiovascular system will also fully experience the negative effect of this food supplement. Calcium is necessary for rhythmic contraction and relaxation of the heart muscle. In case of lack of it, the heart will wear out more quickly. It should also be noted that calcium is needed to produce insulin. Therefore, when it is not enough, the risk of developing diabetes increases.

If this supplement is constantly present in your diet, then cholesterol plaques can appear in the lumens of blood vessels. Recently, scientists conducted research, the results of which shocked them. E450 is a carcinogenic substance, so its use increases the risk of developing malignant tumors at times.

Where is the stabilizer E 450?

To avoid this food supplement whenever possible, you need to know where it is contained and in what quantities. Most of all sodium pyrophosphate salts in meat products and semi-finished products: sausages, meat, pelmeni, sausages, various delicacies.

Processed cheeses and dairy products also contain a huge amount of pyrophosphates. Especially cheap cottage cheese and other sour-milk products.

Some manufacturers add E 450 to bread. Thanks to this food supplement, it becomes heavier. Thus, less flour, sugar and other elements are used. Such products are very easy to identify, although, as a rule, this is possible after the purchase. Such bread is stored for a very long time and may not stale for a whole week.

Pyrophosphate E 450 is found in almost all popular products such as carbonated drinks, ice cream, crab sticks, quick-frozen potatoes, alcoholic beverages, dry flakes, tea, syrups, buns and much more.

In the modern food industry, it is difficult to do without this stabilizer, because a pleasant appearance and sufficient shelf life are the most important criteria that the consumer pays attention to.

In order not to risk your health and reduce the consumption of pyrophosphates, it is better not to buy meat semi-finished products, but try to choose natural meat. Dairy products and bakery products need to be purchased from trusted sellers.

Conclusion

In the article we considered the food stabilizer E 450 known to many people. Despite the fact that it is allowed in many countries, its use can cause irreparable harm to your health. Therefore, it is necessary to carefully and carefully approach the choice of food.