Fragrance is the manufacturer’s trade secret, secret formula, and proprietary blends and is legally protected by not displaying exactly what’s in it, this can be over 2000 separate harsh ingredients or 300 different chemicals. Yes, companies are not required to disclose fragrance ingredients,

Synthetic fragrances are in countless products like shampoo, candles, fabric softeners, window sprays, toys, texta, pens, and even tissues. It represents some of the worst chemicals you can be exposed to.

Fragrance chemicals frequently cause allergic reactions. Symptoms may include rashes, respiratory issues, migraines, asthma, dizziness, vomiting, airway irritation, and sinus problems. Some fragrance chemicals are also suspected or known cancer-causing, endocrine disruptors, and capable of birth defects.

Ingredients like phthalates and parabens could be included in the word Fragrance and some ingredients could be made from petroleum products. I should say it would include those but we will never know.

Most fragrances have not been assessed for or are not required to be assessed for health effects (Dr Peter Dingle) and have never been tested for human toxicity.

A study of Calvin Klein’s Eternity found 41 ingredients. Those ingredients are known to be toxic to the skin, nervous and reproductive systems.

Fragrance is a fake smell or better still hidden chemicals

Watch the document called Stink or read Dangerous Beauty.

Parabens are used as a preservative in everyday products and you will find them mainly in a lot of cosmetic products.

A number of studies found an earlier onset of puberty in girls associated with higher paraben levels. Parabens mimic estrogen by binding the estrogen receptors on cells and are often found in breast cancer tissues.

Parabens are highly absorbent and this synthetic preservative is linked to hormonal imbalances, disrupts the endocrine system and irritates the skin. It is toxic to the development and reproductive system

You will find company are now removing parabens and stating this on the front of the packet with the words – no parabens.  If a product states no parabens, I would ask what it has been replaced with. Phenoxyethanol is one ingredient replacing paraben and I will do a podcast on this but for now, it is something to look out for also.

You will find parabens in sunscreen, shampoo/conditioner, lipstick, and hand soap. Also, look out for any words that have parabens at the end.

Like in our food, our body care and cleaning products have ingredients. They are also listed from highest quantity to lowest. So let’s look at the ingredients:

Water is the most popular ingredient. It is used as the main solvent

Emulsifiers and used to keep other ingredients from separating

Preservatives extend the shelf-life and prevent the product from going bad.

Thickeners as the name suggest thickens the product

Emollients have a softening effect on the skin

Pigments or colour makes the product look attractive

Fragrance/oils are the smell of the product and which makes it more appealing

Aspartame is an artificial sweetener. You will find aspartame in packaged products labelled zero sugar, diet, low calorie and sugar-free.

Aspartame was discovered in 1965 by a worker employed by a company later purchased by Monsanto by accident when he was testing for another drug and when it tasted he found it to be sweet.  Early 80s aspartame was approved for use in carbonated beverages.

Nutrasweet and equal are the brand name for aspartame and they are found in stores.

Aspartame is an odourless white powder that is approximately 200 times sweeter than sugar. Used to reduce the number of calories in products and it is cheaper. Aspartame is a popular choice over sugar because it doesn’t contribute to tooth decade and cavities

There are so many studies and so many debates over the safety of aspartame. Research states there is a connection to memory loss, learning impairment, seizures, headaches, hyperactivity, asthma, weight gain, mood changes ( Ha it sounds like moon but it's mood....) , breathing difficulties, depression, cancer and brain tumours. The manufacturers of aspartame and the FDA say that the adverse symptoms reported regarding aspartame are inconclusive as their lab studies don’t confirm this Something to note is that 100% of the studies that are industry-funded deem aspartame safe and 92% of the independent studies show the above side effects.

When looking at a sugar-free diet always flip over and see if 951 or 950 is listed. 950 has similar side effects to 951

Something to consider when reducing your sugar intake is to always read the packet

This artificial food colour gives a yellow colour to food products. It is derived from petroleum and is an azo dye. (synthetic dye)

Of all the azo dyes this causes the most allergic and intolerant reaction. It provokes asthma, migraines, itching, hyperactivity in children, behavioural issues, is linked to restlessness, sleep disturbance and even depression.

Some rat studies show links to kidney and liver damage.

Banned in Norway

In my podcast Annatto 160b I mentioned that Annatto is found in food as a replacement for Tartrazine 102 but the two are very similar.

Annatto or 160b.   

This is used as a natural yellow-to-red food colouring agent.  It is derived from the seeds of the annatto tree – Bixa Orellana  

This is used as a better alternative to the artificial tartrazine colour or 102 but it's not. You might also see Bixin or Norbixin listed in the ingredients. Bixin refers to the fat-soluble and norbixin refers to the water-soluble form. 

Annatto or 160b will display as a natural colour in the ingredients however how it is extracted is far from natural. Solvents such as acetone (the fluid that dissolves nail polish) are used. This is prohibited in infants’ food and HACSG (The Hyperactive Children Support Group) recommends avoiding it. 

Annatto can also cause head banging, headaches, sleep disturbance, hyperactivity, behavioural issues and eczema 

Ingredients will be displayed on a packet either as the Full Name (e.g. Annatto) or Code Number (e.g 160b) 

The ingredients are listed from highest quantity to lowest. There are hundreds of additives that can be found in our foods so here is how they are grouped. Colours - 100 numbers They make our food look attractive.  Restore colour to foods that have been lost in processing and storage 

Preservative – 200 numbers to keep food fresh for longer 

Antioxidants – 300 numbers Prevents the oxidation of food

Emulsifiers – 400 numbers Stops oil and water mixtures from separating Also, 400 numbers are Anticaking Agents, Gums

Mineral Salts – 500 numbers 

Flavours or Flavour Enhancers -  600 numbers Which improve the flavour to make our food taste good

Artificial sweeteners - 900 numbers This creates a sweet taste for fewer calories than sugar