Azodicarbonamide (ADCA or ACA) is a chemical compound, commonly used as a food additive in some countries like the US and Canada, but not in the EU. It's primarily used as a flour bleaching agent and a dough conditioner, reacting with flour as an oxidizing agent. It's also known as "the yoga mat chemical" due to its use in manufacturing foamed plastics.
Here's a more detailed look:
Chemical Formula: C₂H₄O₂N₄.
Appearance: Yellow to orange-red, odorless, crystalline powder.
Use in Food: In some countries, it's used as a flour bleaching agent and dough conditioner, with a permitted level of 45 ppm in the US and Canada.
Reaction Products: When used with flour, it reacts as an oxidizing agent, producing primarily biurea, which is stable during baking. Secondary products include semicarbazide and ethyl carbamate.
Food Industry Removal: Many restaurants in the US fast food industry have removed azodicarbonamide from their products due to negative publicity.
Other Uses: It's also a key chemical in the production of expanded plastics like those used in yoga mats.
Detailed overview of azodicarbonamide (ADCA). What foods has it been found in? Here’s a list of types of foods and products in which azodicarbonamide has been used or detected (mainly in the US and Canada, where it is permitted):
🥖 Baked Goods (Primary Category)
ADCA is primarily used in the baking industry as a dough conditioner and flour bleaching agent. It helps improve dough handling and bread texture.
Bread (white, sandwich, buns)
Bagels
English muffins
Pizza dough
Tortillas
Pastries
---
🍔 Fast Food Products (Historically)
Many fast food chains in the U.S. formerly used bread or buns containing ADCA but have phased it out due to public pressure:
Subway (removed in 2014 after backlash)
McDonald’s (used in buns and rolls)
Burger King
Wendy’s
Arby’s
Jack in the Box
Chick-fil-A (in some products, previously)
---
🧁 Packaged & Processed Foods
In commercially manufactured and packaged bakery items, particularly mass-produced and shelf-stable foods:
Packaged cake mixes
Frozen meals with bread components
Store-bought pastries or croissants
---
❌ Not Allowed in:
European Union
Australia
Singapore (has banned its use outright, citing health concerns)
---
⚠️ Health and Safety Concerns
The main controversies are due to:
Decomposition byproducts (e.g., semicarbazide, which has shown carcinogenic potential in animal studies)
Association with industrial use (yoga mats, foam soles)
No comments:
Post a Comment