Feeding FAQ: 6-9 months – Breast Feeding

Question – Worried about E numbers?

So many products I look at for my baby contain E numbers, which always worries me. Do I need to be scared of all of them?

Answer:

Many people are suspicious of E–numbers, which are codes in ingredient lists for food additives. The mention of food additives or E–numbers often raises concerns that they are artificial and potentially dangerous substances. However, the terms E–numbers and food additives cover a wide range of substances; all of them are added in small amounts to carry out a specific function, for example to preserve, colour or thicken a food.

One factor that often puts people off all E–numbers is the long and scientific–sounding names for many of them. If we hear terms such as alpha–tocopherol or anthocyanins they can sound like artificial substances created in a laboratory, additives that may be unnatural and possibly unhealthy for us or our children. In fact, these names are simply the scientific terms for vitamin E (used as an antioxidant to preserve food) and a colour found naturally in red and purple fruit (used to colour other foods and possibly protective against cancer). So those particular examples are not unhealthy, nor are they artificial, although many additives are. We can‘t lump all additives or E–numbers together in one group, even if we are suspicious of some of them. We can actually feel reassured that additives have E–numbers. They are governed by the EU‘s European Food Safety Authority, who only assign an E–number to additives that have been tested and found to be safe – hence the “E” in E–numbers. The UK Food Standards Agency also monitors scientific research into additive safety.

Do we need E–numbers?
The arguments for the use of E–numbers are some of the roles they play in food – additives have been used since the Middle Ages to preserve food, and without them our supermarket shelves would be much emptier. If we do object to additives or E–numbers we can certainly cook and feed our families without them, although our range of ingredients is more limited and some would find it less convenient. On the downside, avoidance of certain additives is a necessity rather than a preference for some people. There are people who have allergies or intolerances to certain E–number substances some of the most common culprits are sulphites, benzoates, and colours such as tartrazine

E–numbers and children
For the majority of us, additives pose no danger. In spite of that, when you–re feeding your baby I would suggest avoiding unnecessary additives where possible. One reason for this is that babies are growing rapidly, and eat more food for their body weight than adults do, which means they consume more additives if they are in the food. Another is that babies‘ kidneys (one of the ways the body gets rid of waste products) are still developing.

Those additives that are less necessary in food include colours, flavours and sweeteners. We can easily choose foods with natural flavours and sweetness, and there is no need to change a food‘s colour to entice a baby to eat it. While preservatives may be necessary in some cases, others can be avoided, for example by cooking fresh meats rather than serving cured ones. Aim to prepare most meals from fresh foods such as fish, meat, grains, fruits, vegetables and dairy foods.