Food additives have long been a source of debate as to their safety and whether or not they can in and of themselves cause reactions in people. Food allergies are generally limited to the eight most common allergies with approximately 80% of food allergies being attributed to these foods.  Food additives however are an issue and not only because of peoples intolerance of them but because many of these additives may actually contain hidden undeclared allergens from other foods.

Some of the more common food additives that people can be allergic to include sulphites which are chemicals both in gas and liquid form. In liquid form they can cause hives, while in gas form they may initiate an asthma attack. Sulfites are found in a number of products and are used as a preservative and anti-browning agent for fruits, fruit juices, and other foods.

Benzoic acid and parabens are used for their anti fungal and anti bacterial properties to keep food from spoiling. They are added not only to food products but to pharmaceuticals as well and can also be founds in tea, berries, prunes, and cinnamon. These chemicals can cause asthma, hives and angioedema.

MSG has gotten a lot of bad press for people not tolerating it well. MSG can either cause a sensitivity problem which is not the same as an allergy which involves no antibodies or it can affect the allergy response even if it is not the cause of the allergy response.  MSG is a nervous system excitatory neurotransmitter and can cause a more severe histamine response in someone already allergic to another food when MSG is eaten in combination with the allergen food.

Food colorings are another food that can cause allergic reactions, and as such new laws require food colorings to be labeled. Food colorings can cause hives, asthma, eczema, and generalized allergic symptoms and reactions.

There are many additives that can contain milk, soy, eggs, wheat, fish, or nuts as well and as such can trigger a primary allergic reaction to these foods. A complete research on foods contained in additives is necessary to ensure that you can stay in strict avoidance to the foods that you are allergic to.