I recently wrote to P & N Beverages regarding their decision to add benzoate preservative back into their cordials. Their's was previously the only cordial avaiable that did not contain benzoate preservative and coal tar dye colours.
This was part of a compaign being run by Additive Alert. Here's the link
The preservatives used are 211 and 223. Both of these preservatives are not recommended for asthmatics, and 211 is also linked to hyperactivity and adverse behaviour effects in children.
I received a response today which basically said that the preservatives met requirments set by Food Standards Australia and New Zealand (FSANZ).
NOT GOOD ENOUGH!!!! Just because FSANZ approves the use of these preservatives doesn not make them OK. Buying cigarettes is not illegal for adults but we still know the health effects associated with smoking.
Following is a PRESERVATIVE FREE Cordial you can make yourself
INGREDIENTS:
6 Lemons or Oranges
2 cups Sugar (can be raw if you like)
1 teaspoon Citric Acid
1 Litre Water
Juice the oranges and lemons well. Place juice in a
large saucepan and add the water and sugar. Slice
4-6 rind segments off the juiced oranges and add
to the saucepan (being careful not to use the pulp
or white part of the citrus)
Bring the mixture to the boil. Then turn down heat
and simmer for 35 minutes. Add the citric acid.
When cooled, strain the cordial and carefully pour it
into a bottle. Store in the fridge. Serve diluted.
NOTE: Citric Acid is sold as a powder and can be
found in the baking section of the supermarket.
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That's great Green Chickadee, a cordial that we can give our children without worrying about the negative side effects, thank you.
ReplyDeleteShame on P & N, looks like money wins out again! But I bet they find they will lose quite a few customers now that they've made the horrible decision to add chemicals to their cordial.
I for one won't be buying it again!
I think that Food Standards Aust.& NZ have a lot to answer for, like the health (or I should say the ill health) of our childrean.
Thanks for your comments Jan. Australia has one of the worst records for allowing additives and preservatives to foods anywhere in the world. Those that are banned elsewhere are still allowed here.
ReplyDeleteOf course plain water is much better than cordial anyway but my kids like this cordial made into iceblocks for summer.