Tartrazine in Chicken Tikka Masala

There has been a recent news report about the worrying levels of Azo dyes (food colourings) found in chicken tikka massala.

The survey was instigated by Surrey Trading Standards and samples of chicken tikka massala were taken from 102 curry houses. Only 44 of the those tested were found to be using colourings within what are deemed to be safe legal limits. Of the others tested one was found to be using over four times the limit of Tartrazine (E102), Sunset Yellow (E110) and Ponceau 4R (E124).

Some of the chefs interviewed claimed that the public expected their curries to be bright yellow or orange and so added the colours to give people what they wanted.

People tend to think of spices like turmeric and saffron when they see golden yellow curry and they expect these things to be added for colour and flavour. They donŐt expect a cocktail of dyes, which are an infinately cheaper option than saffron for instance, but are known to cause asthma and other allergic reactions in sensitive people. More needs to be done to ensure that people know exactly what is on the menu.

Surrey Trading Standards Department plans to test all other curry houses in the county and may extend its investigations to other types of restaurants. LetŐshope the Trading Standards Departments in other counties follow suit and impose heavy fines where appropriate. Or at the very least, allow the pubic the right to know exactly what they are eating.

A recent report has shown that there is a definate link between aspirin sensitivity, aspirin intolerance and asthma. People who are sensitive to aspirin may also react to natural salicylates,which are similar in their molecular structure to aspirin. Foods containing natural salicylates include bananas, grapes, apricots, peaches, plums and apples, to name but a few.

Anyone with this type of allergy should also avoid artificial colourings (Azo dyes).

E102 - Tartrazine

E104 - Quinoline Yellow

I can recommend that you buy E For Additives by Maurice Hanson and Jill Marsden for a wealth of information about additives.