HARMFUL EFFECTS OF SOME ADDITIVES AND

PRESERVATIVES USED IN CONFECTIONERY

INDUSTRIES

Potassium bromate: the use of potassium bromate has been a common

choice among flour millers and bakers throughout the world because it is
cheap and probably the most efficient oxidizing agent (Grosch and
Wieser, 2002). However, concern has been expressed on the harmful
effects of potassium bromate. Toxicological studies have convincingly
shown that potassium bromate affects the nutritional quality of Niacin.
Also, studies have shown significant differences in essential fatty acid
content of flour treated with bromate or in confectioneries made from
such flour. The British Food Manufacturing Industries Research
Association reported in 1980that potassium bromate destroys folic acid
in 10 days.

It was reported by the International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSC)

that potassium bromate on inhalation can cause cough and sore throat
in human, whereas on ingestion, it causes abdominal pain, diarrhea,
nausea, vomiting, kidney failure, hearing loss, as well as redness and
pain both in the eyes and skin (DeStefanis, 2002).

Research has shown that potassium bromate causes thyroid and

kidney tumors in rats, and has been labeled possibly carcinogenic to
humans by the International Agency for research on cancer.

Bromate has since been banned and removed from the list of improvers
generally regarded as safe (GRAS) ingredients by the FAO/WHO expert
committee on food additives worldwide since 1992.
In Nigeria, use of potassium bromate in flour milling and baking has
been banned by NAFDAC since 1993 (Obot et al, 2008).

Sucralose: the presence of chlorine in sucralose is thought to be the

most dangerous component of sucralose. Chlorine is considered a
carcinogenic and has been used in poisonous gas, disinfectants,
pesticides, and plastics (Kovacs, 2011). The digestion and absorption of
sucralose is not clear due to a lack of long-term studies on humans. The
majority of studies were done on animals or short length of time. The
alleged symptoms associated with sucralose are gastrointestinal
problems (bloating, diarrhea, nausea) skin irritations (rashes, hives,
redness, itching, swelling), wheezing, cough, running nose chest pains,
palpitations, anxiety, anger, moods, swings, depression and itching eyes
(Abou-Doria, 2008). The only way to be sure of the safety of sucralose is
to have long term studies on humans done.

Acesulfame K: The problems surrounding acesulfame K are based on the

improper testing and lack of long-term studies. Acesulfame K contains
the carcinogen, methylene chloride; long exposure to methylene chloride
can cause headaches, depression, nausea, mental confusion, liver
effects, kidney effects, visual disturbances and cancer in humans
(Kovacs, 2011). There has been a great deal of opposition to the use of
acesulfame K without further testing, but at this time, the FDA has not
required that this test be done (Yang, 2010).