Dangerous Chemicals in SS Essences & Liqueur Bases

[GoldenSwallow]

I made some White and Black Sambuca yesterday evening and out of curiosity decided to check the listed ingredients. Both White and Black listed Humectant (1520) apart from flavourings.

According to the Australian Food & Drug Administration this additive (1520) is actually called Propylene Glycol. "So what", you say? Read this extract from their web page:

"Propylene glycol is commercially produced from propylene and carbonate. Humectant, wetting agent, dispersing agent, radiator anti-freeze, petroleum based; its glycerine like taste has made it popular for children's medications and other elixirs; used in many toothpastes, topical creams and ointments, in cosmetics, hair products and deodorants, artificial sweetener bases, liquid food colour, essences, sweetened coconut, chewing gum, chocolates. Total recall of all medications in USA (if you still have some old ones, throw them out!) and has been linked with fatal heart attacks (when given intravenously), central nervous system depression and cosmetic or pharmaceutical contact dermatitis. Suspected as a neurotoxic hazard.

Yikes! But that is not all.

Alerted to the above facts I checked the ingredients on Liqueur Base "A" & "B". This is what I found:
1. Liqueur Base A & B share the same ingredients: Sugar, maltodextrin (from corn), acidity regulator (331), thickener (466), only in different quantities.

2. Side effects of maltodextrin include allergic reactions, unexplained weight gain, bloating and flatulence. Specific allergic reactions associated with the use of maltodextrin include rash, asthma, itching and difficulty breathing. If you experience any allergic reaction or other side effect after consuming maltodextrin, you should discontinue use and consult with a medical professional.

3. Thickener (466), also known as Carboxymethyl Cellulose. "Carboxymethylcellulose is prepared from cellulose, the main polysaccharide and constituent of wood and all plant structures. Commercially prepared from wood and chemically modified. Known to cause cancer when ingested by test animals. Many different uses, mainly as thickening agent, but also as filler, dietary fibre, anti clumping agent and emulsifier. Similar as cellulose, but very soluble in water. Found in many different products. Carboxymethyl cellulose is very soluble, and can be fermented in the large intestine. Large concentrations can cause intestinal problems, such as bloating, constipation and diarrhoea. It also lowers slightly the blood cholesterol level."

Well, by the time you read this I may not be around anymore. I must say though, both the back and white Sambuca's taste incredible. Let me know your thoughts on this...

[Almanac]

Nothing will kill you as surely as living

See I was right about using those essences, yuck!!

BTW Welcone aboard

AM

[clearwater]

Hi,

Most of those symptoms are a result of allergy. I got into home distilling because I am allergic to almost all gins... except the ones I make :-) (I leave out what causes me problems).

Anything you eat or touch can cause an allergy if your are sensitive to that particular ingredient. If you aren't, then it's nothing to worry about.

The chemicals with numbers (E numbers in Europe) have been tested and their affects are more known than those that have no numbers.


Remember, it's often the dose that makes the poison.

[Anavrin]

Propaline Glycol is also used along with Aqueous Glycerin to make liquid for electronic cigarettes, I get through loads of the stuff, although vaping it, probably isn't the same as drinking it, the alternative is to smoke real cigs which I'm sure is much worse.

[Easydrinker]

One more week,and I've gone a year with E-cigs instead of tobacco.
P.Glycol is my new friend.
Maybe one day I'll walk away from him too.
Perspective.

Robert.