Halloween cupcakes

Flagged additives

• Tartrazine — Southampton study link to hyperactivity/attention effects in children; can trigger reactions in sensitive individuals.
• Sunset yellow FCF — Southampton Six colour; hyperactivity/attention concern in children.
• Allura red AC — Southampton Six colour; hyperactivity/attention concern in children.
• Titanium dioxide — Possible genotoxicity (DNA/chromosomal damage) could not be ruled out; no longer considered safe as a food additive.
• Erythrosine — Iodine-based red dye; thyroid effects in animal studies; restricted uses.
• Indigotine / indigo carmine — Synthetic dye; allergic-type reactions reported.
• Brilliant blue FCF — Synthetic dye; allergic-type reactions reported in sensitive individuals.
• Sodium benzoate — Preservative; can form trace benzene (a carcinogen) when combined with ascorbic acid; implicated in child hyperactivity studies.
• Calcium phosphates — Inorganic phosphate additives are highly bioavailable; high additive-phosphate intake is associated with increased cardiovascular and kidney burden, particularly in chronic kidney disease.
• Diphosphates — Inorganic phosphate additives are highly bioavailable; high additive-phosphate intake is associated with increased cardiovascular and kidney burden, particularly in chronic kidney disease.