Health Saf Health Safety in Drinks: E ety in Drinks: Evaluation of Cer aluation of Certain Food Additiv ood Additives in Algeria

Consumption of drinks remains a controversial issue for public health. For more than 50 years, potential adverse reactions to additives have been suggested, but data to date are conflicting. The purpose of this article is to provide an approach to the health threat by inventorying the food additives used in 304 local and imported drinks sold in the Algerian market and classifying them according to their toxicity. In second time, survey population destinated to 1200 subjects to evaluate their drink consumption and health problems. The results show that the inventoried drinks contain many food additives, mostly consisting of dyes. Toxic and very toxic additives are incorporated in local products, while moderately toxic additives are present in imported ones. Children consume mostly soft drinks and juices and suffer from hyperactivity, gastro-intestinal disorders, and food allergies. Adults suffer from gastro-intestinal disorders, obesity, food allergies, and diabetes. This study provides a broad overview of available scientific knowledge and cites numerous studies on various aspects of drinks and their implications for health safety. Particular attention is given to ingredients, including artificial flavorings, colorings, and preservatives, and to the lesser known risks of microbiological and chemical contamination during processing and storage.