Preservatives and Oxidative Damage

[Guest guest]

A letter to the editor of the London Times (fwiw):

" Additives and enhanced danger in food:

Sir, As a research scientist who has worked in the field for more than

ten years, I have concerns regarding the consumption of certain food

preservatives.

These compounds, such as sodium benzoate or sorbate, are being used to

inhibit mould growth not only in soft drinks but also in solid food

preparations. Our research has shown that such compounds are able to

cause oxidative damage to the cells. The food preservative toxicity

tests regularly performed appear to have ominously overlooked the

possibility of the damaging effects of the oxidative damage in the gut.

This story will not end by monitoring the benzene levels in soft

drinks and removing some of them from sale (report, Apr 1). The public

must be made aware of the possible dangers of food preservative

consumption.

DR MEHDI MOLLAPOUR

Research Fellow

University of Sheffield "