Contents
Food supplement E134 has a very beautiful name Fast Green (Fast green), but under the beautiful name there are many dangers. E134 is a turquoise emulsifier and coloring agent that imparts intense color and a matte finish to foods. Fast green is banned for industrial use in dozens of countries, and for good reason.
Common Dietary Supplement Synonyms
The food supplement has its own synonymous series of names: Fast Green (international name), Shvidky zeleny (Ukrainian name), strong green, Fast green, persistent green (Russian names) and E134 (three-digit code according to international classification).
The emulsifier got its name because of its universal property – the speed of staining in turquoise color of any solutions and mixtures. It gives a lasting color that lasts for a long period of time.
Dye features
E134 is distinguished by the nature of its origin: artificial or synthetic. The food additive belongs to the category of “dyes” with an extremely high level of danger. In appearance, the emulsifier looks like a powder with a bright green-turquoise tint.
Depending on the environment in which it is located, Fast Green can change its hue. For example, in an acid environment, the additive will be dark green, in a neutral (ordinary) environment it will be turquoise, in an alkaline environment it will turn into blue. E134 is successfully mixed with other dyes without changing their structure and characteristic properties.
This food supplement has its own unique digital code (three-digit). When a substance is officially given the status of a food additive and a specific number for identification, this means that: in general, the substance has been tested for safety; it is allowed to be used in various industries; it does not change its characteristics, properties and composition; it meets all the criteria that help make any food product environmentally safe and harmless.
According to state standards, the presence of the food additive E134 in finished products will be indicated on the label of the product that is sold to consumers. According to international standards, food additives include dyes from E100 to E182.
Fast Green is a dry additive (powder), it is used to paint small parts that decorate confectionery and bakery products, thereby giving them a delicate shade. The disadvantage of powder dye is its complexity of production, because the substance is quickly used up. That is why it is desirable to produce nutritional supplements in granules (granular).
The effect of fast green on the human body
Various analyses, studies and tests have shown that the dye can adversely affect a person’s well-being if ingested. There is an opinion that E134 leads to the formation and development of malignant tumors (cancer) in the urinary ducts and the bladder itself.
First of all, the genitourinary system suffers from the use of a turquoise substance with food. This is due to the fact that Fast Green contains carcinogens. This is especially dangerous if the amount of food additive exceeds the norm. Carcinogens are special compounds that contribute to the formation of tumors in the human body. In turn, carcinogens can be of natural origin or made in certain laboratory conditions by people.
Scientists argue that Fast Green is contraindicated in humans, so it can only be used in the form of a solution with a minimum concentration of powder. In some people, not only malignant tumors can form, but also rashes, migraines, dizziness, gastrointestinal upset, kidney and liver diseases. It all depends on the individual sensitivity to the food additive, which can be checked by passing the appropriate tests.
In the intestines, Quick Green is practically not digested (not absorbed). The effect of the substance on the body has not been thoroughly studied, so you should not exceed the maximum allowable rate, which is 12,5 milligrams per 1 kilogram.
Researchers have not been able to come to a consensus about the benefits and harms of the substance. Since this food supplement does not exist in wildlife, it does not bring health benefits. No positive qualities were found in E134 during the entire period of research. Some scientists believe that in small quantities, the dosage of Fast Green will not be able to harm the well-being of a healthy person.
Areas of use of E134
The food additive, despite the controversial opinion of experts about its properties, is widely used in:
- cosmetology;
- microbiology;
- histology;
- Food Industry;
- medicine.
The food industry uses the dye to color canned peas, pickles, spinach, sauces, juices, seafood, soups, fruits and vegetables, jellies, desserts, condiments, mustards, appetizers and meats, pasta, and other foods that must end up get a rich green color. Thanks to the nutritional supplement, food becomes attractive, has a marketable appearance and makes you want to eat it.
Fast green features: color fastness of edible products (powder resistant to sunlight, acid-base environment, temperature fluctuations); has a high degree of color with a minimum amount of substance; soluble in water, characterized by an average degree of solubility in vegetable fats; evenly distributed in the food product. The food sector of the economy nowadays uses about 20-25 synthetic food additives that change the color and shade of food.
The emulsifier is used in cosmetology to create creams, soaps, is added to cosmetic clay, shampoos, face masks. Cosmetic production uses E134 without fear, since being part of the additive does not harm the human skin. The product can be washed off with running water or the most common solvent.
The additive is also in demand in microbiology: with its help, the protein of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is stained when it needs to be removed from the cell. Quick green is often used in microbiology due to its unique synthetic composition (the additive is not picky about storage conditions and terms, has a rich, pronounced color, has high temperature stability and heat resistance, and can be processed). In histology, solid green is used to stain tissues for further study.
Legislative base of states
It is strictly forbidden to use the food additive in its pure form, therefore, American law allows the use of E134 in the manufacture of food products only in a diluted form as a food coloring.
European countries, including Ukraine and Russia, do not allow the substance to be added to food (only in rare cases), because they fear the appearance of negative consequences for humans. In the states of the European Union and the United States of America, the additive is allowed in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries, but prohibited in the food industry.