TartrazineSouthampton study link to hyperactivity/attention effects in children; can trigger reactions in sensitive individuals.
Sunset yellow FCFSouthampton Six colour; hyperactivity/attention concern in children.
Allura red ACSouthampton Six colour; hyperactivity/attention concern in children.
ErythrosineIodine-based red dye; thyroid effects in animal studies; restricted uses.
Brilliant blue FCFSynthetic dye; allergic-type reactions reported in sensitive individuals.
Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT)Antioxidant; animal-study tumour/endocrine signals; structurally related to BHA.
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.
Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC)Synthetic emulsifier linked in animal and in-vitro studies to gut-microbiome disruption and intestinal inflammation; human evidence is emerging.
Why this band?
How the nutrition, processing, and additive signals combine into the overall food-health band.
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Overall food-health bandFood healthCritical
Processing
nova 4
AdditivesHigh
8 flagged additive(s), worst HIGH
1no nutri-score — nutrition contributes the lowest band
2HIGH-concern additive floors band at "high"
3ultra-processed (NOVA 4) worsens band by one
4final band "critical" (health-blend-v1)
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.
Erythrosine — Iodine-based red dye; thyroid effects in animal studies; restricted uses.
Brilliant blue FCF — Synthetic dye; allergic-type reactions reported in sensitive individuals.
Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) — Antioxidant; animal-study tumour/endocrine signals; structurally related to BHA.
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.
Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) — Synthetic emulsifier linked in animal and in-vitro studies to gut-microbiome disruption and intestinal inflammation; human evidence is emerging.
blend health-blend-v1
Per-ingredient concern · chemical identity, not food safety