The K-Base food additives database.

                          Compiled by Mark Knight.

1/ Credits.

1.1/ The database was compiled by Mark Knight chiefly using the facilities of
the Science Reference and Information Service of The British Library in
Holborn, London.  Publications used included the famous "E for Additives"
book and various HMSO and EEC regulatory documents.  Much research was
required and I am grateful to Jenny Cann and Caroline Lessing for assistance
and direction during the search.

1.2/ Although every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the
information in the database it is free and no warranty of any kind can be
given.  All effects, physical, financial and otherwise, of using the database
are entirely the responsibility of the user, the author accepts no liability
of any kind for any losses incurred by users: so there!

2/ Cautions.

2.1/ It is very easy to panic over food additives, especially if you read too
much about their adverse properties.  Most of the risks mentioned are very
small ones and the health risks of not including preservatives may be higher
than the risks of including them: preservatives prevent excessive build-up of
bacteria in products with a long shelf life.

2.2/ The above notwithstanding it is still the opinion of the author that
some food additives should have been banned some time ago, simply because the
risks are not worth taking and too many people may have their health
affected.  Many food colourings can affect the behaviour and health of
children and aggravate relatively common conditions such as asthma; since
alternatives exist the food industry should use them.

2.3/ It is simple to use the K-Base program to print out lists of additives
that should perhaps be avoided by an asthma suferer in the family or someone
with diabetes.  Be aware though, that not all of the additives will affect
all sufferers, so it would be a rare asthmatic who needed to avoid all the
additives listed as possible asthma provoking chemicals.  Use such printed
lists as a guide only and develop a personalised list from your own
experience.

3/ Uses and keywords included.

3.1/ When asking K-Base to print from the supplied food additives database
you may want to select all additives to be avoided by somebody with a
particular problem or characteristic.  The spellings used are important and a
list of keywords is listed below; for example typing in a selection of:

+Anaemia

...would work, as this is on the list, but using:

+Anaemic

...would not work as entries do not contain this spelling.

3.2/ The list of keywords is as follows:

Allergic               For the allergy prone.
Anaemia                Anaemia may be aggravated.
Aspirin sensitive      Aspirin sensitives should psossibly avoid these
                       additives.
Asthma                 Known to aggravate asthma in some individuals.
Babies                 Additives known to be harmful to babies.
Bone                   Additives which should be avoided by those with
                       bone diseases.
Children               Additives known to be harmful to children.
Colitis                May aggravate colitis and similar conditions.
Colon                  May aggravate colon conditions.
Diabetic               Possibly not suitable for diabetics.
Drugs                  Those on some medication may find that these additives
                       affect the absorption and therefore effectiveness of
                       their drugs: consult the doctor prescribing your
                       medication.
Eczema                 May aggravate Eczema.
Eye                    May cause problems with eyesight.
Gastric                May aggravate gastric (stomach and other digestive)
                       problems.
Gout                   Can aggravate Gout.
Heart                  Possibly to be avoided by those with heart conditions:
                       consult your specialist.
Hyperactive            To be avoided by hyperactive children and possibly
                       adults.
Immune                 Should possibly be avoided by those with immune
                       problems.
Kidney                 Possible aggravation of Kidney problems.
Liver                  Possible aggravation of Liver problems.
Medical tests          These additives may affect the results of some medical
                       tests so if having such tests avoid them: consult your
                       doctor.
Migraine               Possible aggravation/provocation of Migraine.
PHK                    Not suitable for those suffering Phenylketonuria.
Phenylketonuria        Not suitable for those suffering Phenylketonuria.
Pregnant               To be avoided by cautious pregnant women.
Purine                 Those who must avoid purines should avoid these.
Skin                   May aggravate some skin conditions.
Small children         May cause problems for small children.
Thyroid                Additives which may aggravate Thyroid conditions.
Ulcer                  May cause or aggravate gastric or mouth ulcers in some
                       individuals, read the entry in full for details.
Urticaria              Additives which may aggravate Urtucaria or similar
                       skin problems.