Azodicarbonamide: Another reason to avoid most bread
Bread
If you eat bread from a fast food restaurant, you should ask yourself the following questions: What is azodicarbonamide? Why is it in my bread? Why should I avoid it? They’re all good questions, so let’s answer them one at a time.
Q: What is azodicarbonamide?
It is a chemical whose primary use is “in the production of foamed plastics.” In the United States it is also used as a food additive and flour bleaching agent.
Q: Why is it in my bread?
According to Mark Rubi, the former baker and owner of The Lick Skillet Bakery in Boulder, Colorado, the answer is “I don’t know.” He says, “The necessary ingredients in bread are pretty basic. You need flour, water, yeast, and salt for sure. And then maybe add a little olive oil for dough consistency and a little sugar to get the yeast going. Anything else you add should just be for flavoring.” He goes on to add, “It’s strange, I look at the commercial breads available these days and the ingredient lists are scary. Take fast food, for example, the typical bun at a fast food burger chain has 20 or more chemicals in addition to the main ingredients! Is this really something I want to be eating?”
Q: Why should I avoid azodicarbonamide?
Well, for one, most of the world does not look upon the chemical additive very favorably. It is banned as a food additive and in food packaging in the United Kingdom. It is banned in most European countries as well as Australia. And its use in Singapore has some pretty severe penalties (up to 15 years in prison and $450,000 fine). That is not the case in the United States.
According to Food Lorists, “In the UK, the H.S.E has identified azodicarbonamide as a respiratory sensitiser (a possible cause of asthma) and determined that products should be labeled with “May cause sensitisation by inhalation.”
Q: Why is azodicarbonamide allowed to be used in the United States?
The FDA’s official database on food additives is called EAFUS, which stands for Everything Added to Food in the United States. EAFUS contains more than 3000 additives, including nearly 700 which have not been tested for toxicology. These untested additives are classified as EAF.
According to EAFUS, the classification for azodicarbonamide is NIL, which officially means, “Although listed as added to food, there is no current reported use of the substance, and, therefore, although toxicology information may be available in PAFA, it is not being updated.”
Among the big names in fast food using azodicarbonamide in their bread: McDonalds, Burger King, Subway, and Kentucky Fried Chicken. There are many more.
The Food Facts food ingredient database currently shows 414 food products that contain this ingredient. For more information, visit Food Facts.
This chemical is being used in Oroweat bread! Their “Country 100% Whole Wheat Bread” to be precise — no idea if it’s being used in their other products.
I ate a slice last night and was left with a burning throat, and looked at the label. Azodicarbonamide sounded familiar as I used to work with plastics and epoxy resins… sure enough. I called the manufacturer, Bimbo Bakeries USA, and they took my complaint, and tried pretty hard to give me some coupons. I declined.
For several weeks I have been having trouble.. cough. weakness, stomach pains… I know I have allergies to sulfites added substances in breads etc. I THOUGHT I was safe because the only bread I have been buying was Natures Own… listing on the package… No artificail Preservatives colors or flavors… I looked at the package of buns.. and there it was the azodicarbonamide….I had already found it in cheeses and it gave me trouble… HOW can a company change names and put harmful things into our food and label it free from artificial preservatives??
well, azodicarbonamide isn’t exactly a preservative, color, or flavor. so it isn’t false advertising on their part, at least… not technically. Just have to be careful. You really expect companies to tell everyone the weird things they’re adding without legislation forcing them to do so?
I just found it in Target’s brand of bread “Market Pantry”. Wonder where else I’ll find it.
@Karen Eliot
Karen, I suffered with a severe breathing problem for years eating Oroweat 100% whole wheat bread with azodicarbonamide in it. I got off of that bread. Oroweat makes another whole wheat bread without it. It causes asthma. I though i had asthma all these years. Halleluyah, my eyes were opened.
There are to many breads that have azodicarbonamide. So lets name those that don’t, I have none so far.
I purchase my bread @ Whole Foods. My favorite brand is Rudi’s Organic Bakery, and my family enjoys the 7 grain with Flax variety. There is none of this toxic chemical in their wonderful bread products.
@Noneofurs
i agree , we need a list of safe product thats why the amish people are so much more strong sturdy and wholesome people,we need a grass roots effort in america to get the CDC and the food and drug administration to inform concerned consumers……………….Kathi
oroweat country potato bread has it too. called the company to complain this morning.
There is 1 bakery I know of that makes bread The Vegan Danish Bakery at 7718 Yonge Street Thornhill, Ontario in Canada. They do not have any chemicals or additives in their natural delicious bread ! I shop there all the time. They really know their stuff.
Mills add this chemical and others to the flour to speed up the aging process. Traditionally flour was aged naturely for several months to improve performance in baking. Now, the mills add in the chemicals instead, so the flour used even in organic bakeries needs to be checked.
” The three most commonly used at the mill level are azodicarbonamide (ADA), ascorbic acid and potassium bromate.”
See section labeled “Maturing Agents” at the link here - http://www.bakingbuyer.com/news/bread.asp
Note that potassium bromate which is also added is a known carcinogen that is banned in most countries but not the U.S.
My doctor just told me that this ingredient is used in Sara Lee breads, too. I and my mother in law had began being nauseaus at the smell of this bread. We have searched and found some that do not. He said it is very dangerous, especially if you have food allergies.
Dave’s Killer Bread (Just Say No To Bread On Drugs) does not have this chemical or any other chemicals, additives or preservatives. You can find it at Fred Meyer’s & at healthfood stores.
THIS IS TERRIBLE INFORMATION & VERY DISAPPOINTING IN OUR SYSTEM TO PROTECT US. UH!!
I’ve noticed that Fast Foods Hamburger - Hot Dog & Sandwich rolls are nice & fluffy but not as filling as years ago when you would east one sandwich & be full. But not today, they look great but are very light & not as filling at all, therefore makes you want to eat more. I’ve even mentioned to my family that something is different with the breads, now it all makes complete sense. I just read this article & started checking the breads I now have, & Martin’s Famous Pastry Shoppe Inc. Potato Dinner Rolls & Potato Sandwich Rolls & Potato Long Rolls, all have the additive, “AZODICARBONAMIDE” in these breads as well as many other ingredients not able to say.
However, so far,I did NOT see this “AZODICARBONAMIDE” added to the ingredients in Pepperidge Farm SOFT 100% WHOLE WHEAT BREAD & KIRKLAND Signature Organic 100% WHOLE WHEAT BREAD.
I Pray to God that this DOES NOT play a part in the cause of AUTISM as well!!
I will be checking other ingredients in the future as well. God knows !
just checked my cupboard, it’s also in my bread- arnold 100% stone ground wheat. we should start a letter writing campaign
@Karen Eliot
I have found it in Franz brand name breads now too. I will be making my own bread more now.
I found it in Thamas’ Multi Grain Muffins
How do we know if the flour we purchase has it? So, even if we make our own bread, it might not be safe.
I have been shopping at Walmart for years. When I read this information, I immediately looked at my “English Toasting Sandwich bread” and there it was..azodicarbonamide. I like a piece or two of toast at night before going to sleep. I didn’t put it together about having to clear my throat so much and coughing after eating this bread. Immediately looked at my Sara Lee “Classic 100% Whole Wheat” bread and there it was again. I’m going to have to throw out ALL MY BREAD in the freezer and try and find bread that doesn’t have this crap in it!! Good Luck to all of you and God Bless us all.
Tim Hortons donuts pretty much all contain azodicarbonamide-just so you know. They seem to also contain TBHQ, which, from what I’ve read, is also nasty. I only know this because I got boxes from them when I was moving, and they gave me a bunch of boxes that contained frozen donuts. I thought they were “always fresh”
Just bought a bag of unbleached flour from COSTCO, VIENNA brand 20 kg, brought it home and it’s on the list of ingredients.
my husband brought this bread home from stop & shop ……….as soon as he toasted it the whole kitchen smelled like crap, literally! watch out folks , wake up and read and learn what is in your food. God Bless
Be careful when buying bread at WalMart. A lot of their breads, rolls bagels, etc. also contain azodicarbonamide. I’m appalled that our government allows the use of this chemical in food! It leads me to wonder, is this why so many people have to take medication every day? The pharmaceutical companies probably applaud the use of this very dangerous chemical…it’s money in the bank for them! What is this country coming to? God bless our childrren who have been raised eating these products.
Just found it in Thomas’ 100% Whole Wheat (Hearty Grains
English muffins. Their little nooks and crannies apparently are filled with something else. But rest assured, there is NO High Fructose Corn Syrup!!! What a joke!!
i highly recommend “Ezekiel” breads and english muffins. they make GREAT tasting all-natural breads. they’re typically found at whole foods but i’ve also found it at genuardis. their website has a store locator:
http://www.foodforlife.com/info-center-customer-service/store-finder.cfm
Just found it in MASTERS English Muffin Toasting Bread and in Sara Lee!!
Yuk!!
Just checked my Archer Farms simply balanced 100% whole wheat bread and there it is “azodicarbamide”. Guess I’ll be looking for a new brand.
I was making my own bread in an attempt to avoid all of the extra additives only to find that the Whole Wheat Flour, Western Family brand (prepared for Overwaites Food Group Lp.) also contains this ingredient along with others.
@Kathi
For those in the midwest…Quik Trip bread products have it in them. The CDC and the FDA don’t care about you and me. They are receiving kickbacks from the Pharma drug companies that make this garbage. All these stores that carry products with this stuff in it should be boycotted. That is the only way to get these store’s attention.
How long have they been using this in our bread products? I was wondering why the bread was staying fresh for such a long time. Sure is scarey.
Can’t trust our government can we?
Don’t overlook the croutons — most croutons also contain azo. Look at the ingredients in the croutons in prepackaged salad kits at retail, croutons in the salad section of the grocery store, and probably in the croutons you eat at restaurants. I also found Azo in a sandwich I purchased at Starbucks — but thought I was safe because starbucks had a lot of signage saying they had eliminated unnecessary additives and preservatives. So I ate the sandwich but saved the ingredient label, which I read later when I had access to a magnifying glass. Sure enough…there it was….AZO! I wrote a letter to complain and protest — but got the usual reply (you can guess). I have also written and called the bread manufacturers, and let them know I will never purchase any loaf of bread that contains this ingredient, and promised them that I will spread the word to all my friends and family. If we ALL spread the word to our friends and family, and contact local news stations with this, perhaps we can generate some public outcry on the topic. NOBODY I know is even aware of AZO in their bread; I only found it because I used to proof food labels for a company that makes retail salad kits. How can we bring this to light to the public at large? It must be stopped!
I checked most of my breads and rolls in my pantry and to my dismay, Azodicarbonamide was an ingredient in each one…hot dog rolls, wheat bread, etc. All name brands I have been using and giving my children for years! Found one called Nature’s Pride that does not, and I also began to use Ezekiel flourless bread made with whole grains. A much better alternative!
Have since told my family and friends to avoid products containing it. Ugh, aren’t we exposed to enough chemicals?!
Suggestion: When you find toxic products–call/write to the manufacturer and request they stop using toxic ingredients!
I have begun to use Shaklee vitamins, eco-friendly/natural cleaning products, and skincare–and even began an at-home/internet business through them as well to share these great safe products with others.
http://www.naturalgreenessentials.com Contact me through there if you are interested!
Also, begin checking your products or get suggestions for what is safe at the following website: http://www.skindeep.com or ewg.org Excellent resource
I remember that one time i visit a bakery. it produce large amount bread of bread. but it’s process to make bread is harmful for us. because they use some chemical and bed material for bread. so we had alert for those type of product which harmful for our health. ignore those bakery. thanks.
80% of the food in regular super maerkets are GMO and filled with chemicals. we should not be eating any soy ingreients in our food either.
check out
Food: The Ultimate Secret Exposed - PT 1/2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSpkLk0vYmk
Food: The Ultimate Secret Exposed - PT 2/2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-B9MeO3SRxU&feature=related
your food must be organic to be safe and you still must read the ingredient list. go to farmers markets and buy local.
canola oil is posion
http://www.augmentinforce.50webs.com/Canola.htm#Canola oil
MSG bad nes
http://WWW.truthinlabeling.org
jmo
msm won’t pay any attention to us, the are paid off by the big corprations to do there advertising. the FDA is trying to get truth in labeling banned.
The American ppl are the most poisoned with “food”. But, not far, since 192 countries agreed to the new “codex alimentaris” , now most of the world is poisoned with really bad chemicals. AZODICARBONAMIDE is part of insecticides are used to kill common insects as flees, moskitos, roaches, flies etc. It is used in combination with cyphenothrin and calcium oxid. In combination with other substances in our food , results in a formula that brings us the “beauty” of DEATH. Why is used? GUESS!
Just made a batch of whole wheat bread and checked empty bag for ingredients, lo and behold , there was this word that I could not even pronounce azo—————mide!!! also another one, amylase, which is probably even worse!So is it surprising that all bakery breads contain it?The mills use it to bleach the flour, I did not think whole wheat flour needed bleaching!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.So now I am wondering if I should bake the bread or throw away the dough!
Anyone wonder why they suddenly know so many people who are sick? So many people with cancer? So many people with allergies, ailments, deficiencies? Wake up people. Mass produced food is poisoning us! “you are what you eat”