Avoid anything -- food, toiletries, cleaning supplies, art supplies -- that has perfume or fragrance (synthetic fragrance may contain one of the prohibited chemicals, and natural fragrance may contain a salicylate. Use only unscented products at first.
This is NOT the same as sucrose, fructose or dextrose sugars. Many people do NOT tolerate Corn Syrup or High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS), which is made from hydrogen sulfide + corn starch and many other added chemicals, often including mercury.
Most people tolerate cane sugar in moderation fairly well. Beet sugar (any sugar that doesn't specifically say "cane sugar" is likely to be from beets) are made using BHT as a defoamer. There may be enough residue of this left in the product to bother those who are unusually sensitive. Honey made from orange blossoms may contain enough salicylate to bother some people. Many brands of honey contain corn syrup today, so buy only from a known beekeeper if possible.
MSG is also found in yeast extract, autolyzed yeast extract, "flavoring," "spices," hydrolized vegetable protein (HVP) etc.
Two books with a lot of good information about excitotoxins (chemicals such as MSG and aspartame that excite nerve cells to fire repeatedly until they die):
These are often used in processed lunch meats. They have been shown in an animal study to cause distractability, and they can also cause headaches.
People with autism or asthma should avoid them. Others may wish to avoid them too. They include:
- Sulphur dioxide (residues are found in corn syrup and it is used in many dried fruits)
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Sulfites may be used in restaurants to keep food (like potatoes, apples) white, and may be added to medication and wine.
On labels, sulfites may be listed as:- Sulphur (Sulfur) Dioxide
- Sodium Sulphite (or Sulfite)
- Sodium Bisulphite (or Bisulfite)
- Sodium Metabisulphite (or Metabisulfite)
- Potassium Metabisulphite (or Metabisulfite)
- Potassium Bisulphite (or Bisulfite)
- It may not be listed at all if the amount is less than 10 ppm.
Added benzoate preservatives may be listed on labels as Sodium Benzoate, Benzoic Acid, etc.
Those who are extremely sensitive to salicylates, or who exhibit signs of eye muscle disorder may need to restrict benzoates. Natural benzoates occur in Apples, Blueberries, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Cinnamon, Cloves, Cranberries, Ginger, Green grapes, Green peas, Licorice, Plums, Prunes, Ripe olives, Spinach, Tea. PABA (Para Amino Benzoic Acid) is often found in vitamins or suntan lotion.