Tuesday – Annatto | 160b
Annatto | 160b
This is a natural colourant widely used in foods, cosmetics, and medicinal companies. It’s cheap, viable, and available easily.
It’s classified as ‘natural’ because it is obtained from the thin resinous aril portion of seeds of Bixa Orellana – a tropical plant. Plants are natural, which gives this additive the classification of being ‘natural’.
But as we know, not everything natural is good for us (think: tobacco, arsenic).
WHY IS IT SO BAD?
Sue Dengate who runs the Food Intolerance Network ran a petition in 2015 to have Streets remove Annatto from their vanilla ice-cream after hearing of a toddler headbanging from the 160b in their ice-cream.
The petition received over 6,000 signatures and families logged many stories and complaints on how Annatto/160b has severely affected their lives. You can read them here.
Annatto/160b can be linked to:
- headaches
- migraines
- headbanging, especially in young children
- behavioural issues
- restlessness
- skin irritations
WHERE IS IT FOUND?
You’ll find Annatto/160b in a wide range of foods. A lot of the time it’ll be in foods heavily marketed to children, or childrens lunchboxes. and on the front of the packet it’ll say “no artificial colours or flavours” or “all natural ingredients” which technically isn’t lying. Remember, Annatto is natural.
Here’s where you may find it:
- ice cream – hugely popular in ice-cream
- flavoured chips – especially ‘cheesy’ flavour
- snack foods – biscuits, tinned fruit and jelly
- dairy products – cheese and yoghurts
- confectionery – lollies, lollypops
- processed cereal products – hugely popular in cereal
- biscuits – ever read the ingredients on Tim Tams?
- cakes and pastries – check out supermarket brands ‘cooked in store’ cakes
- formulated beverages – fizzy drinks
- fruit and vegetable juices
- spreads – like margarine
- frozen chips
- salad dressings
This is not a complete list as it’s a sneaky little additive, so just keep your eye out.
WHAT ABOUT 160C?
160C (beta-carotene) is a safer alternative to use, as carotene is derived from carrots, pumpkin or even tomatoes. Unfortunately, these have been deemed too expensive or too difficult to source according to the FSANZ (Foods Standards Australia and New Zealand). It is also worth noting that 160a can sometimes be sourced from genetically modified plants, so you still need to be careful.
YOUR CHALLENGE TODAY
-
Look through your pantry, fridge and freezer and make a note of all the things that have Annatto/160b. Then when you go shopping for these products next time, buy a different brand without this additive. Lets not support companies that have no care for our health and wellness.
- Post a picture of what you find in the Facebook Group and help other challengers.
-
(optional) Pick a recipe below, make your replacement and share your pictures with us in the Facebook Group.
A FEW CULPRITS
(dated July 2020 – remember ingredients change so you never know, these could change for the better one day, especially if we stop supporting companies that have no regards for our health, so always remember to read the ingredients.)
