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Dr.

the Honourable Chris Tufton, MP


Minister of Health


This letter serves as an enquiry and a concern around the usage of Azodicarbonamide in
certain commercially baked goods in Jamaica.

Azodicarbonamide, also abbreviated as ADA, is a chemical crystalline powder of yellow/orange
colour. Its principal usage is in the production of foamed plastics, namely some items that
many of us are familiar with, such as shoe soles and yoga mats.

ADA is also used as an additive in baked goods as a flour bleaching agent and a dough
conditioner.

To date, ADA is documented as illegal in the European Union (28 countries), Australia,
New Zealand, Philippines and Singapore. While it remains legal in the U.S, companies who
include it in their foods have gone under tremendous public pressure in recent years, and many
global businesses such as Subway have decided to discontinue the usage of ADA in their baked
goods.

Azodicarbonamide has extensively been studied as a hazard to humans: both workers
and consumers.

• A World Health Organization report highlights that exposure to ADA at workplaces is
linked to “respiratory issues, allergies and asthma”1
• When used in baked goods, ADA breaks down into two by-products: semicarbazide (SEM)
and ethyl carbamate. SEM belongs to a family of products that are carcinogenic. It has also been
studied to create DNA damage2.
• Its by-products, which are created by heat when used in baked products, have also been
documented as hormone-disruptors. 3
• While it is legal in the US below below certain dosages, it is clearly outlined on the FDA
website that “the use of ADA as a whitening agent and dough conditioner is not necessary to make
bread and there are alternative ingredients approved for use available”. 4


1 "Concise International Chemical Assessment Document 16: Azodicarbonamide"

(PDF). World Health Organization. Retrieved 2014-02-05.


2 Hirakawa K, Midorikawa K, Oikawa S, Kawanishi S. Carcinogenic semicarbazide

induces sequence-specific DNA damage through the generation of reactive oxygen


species and the derived organic radicals. Mutat Res. 2003 Apr 20;536(1-2):91-101.
3 Maranghi F, Tassinari R, Lagatta V, Moracci G, Macrì C, Eusepi A, Di Virgilio A,

Scattoni ML, Calamandrei G. Effects of the food contaminant semicarbazide


following oral administration in juvenile Sprague-Dawley rats. Food Chem Toxicol.
2009 Feb;47(2):472-9. doi: 10.1016/j.fct.2008.12.003. Epub 2008 Dec 10.

Yet just a few days ago, the ingredient label of both National & HTB Easter Buns read
“Azodicarbonamide” as an additive in their Enriched Wheat Flour. This indicates that Jamaica
has not restricted the usage of this ingredient. An image of their existent product label is
enclosed.

Furthermore, it is impossible to know if ADA is also being used in other baked goods as no label
is showing what is in Enriched Wheat Flour- an ingredient that appears on a large majority of
commercially baked goods (breads, buns, cakes).

Even if some countries still authorize the usage of ADA in baked goods “under a certain
dosage”- it is IMPOSSIBLE to monitor how consumers are consuming products that contain
ADA. There is also NO public education being done on the matter- ADA and other additives and
their impact on one’s health. So with that said, it is too large of a risk and I urge you to consider
the following:

• Please restrict the usage of Azodicarbonamide in Jamaica. Make it illegal.
• If the above is not pursued, please make it mandatory for all businesses to show the full
list of ingredients that make up Enriched Wheat Flour (bleached and unbleached). Consumers
are then at the discretion to make their own informed and education purchase decision.

In this time of the year where many people look forward to celebrating a seasonal staple such
as an Easter Bun, it is of utmost importance to consider the health and well being of consumers
who are supporting businesses to help the economy grow. This is imperative and aligned with
the Ministry’s objective towards a healthier Jamaica.

While this is a concern for ALL- I want to particularly highlight that 47.9% of the Jamaican
population is aged 24 years and younger 5 . In effect, this means that almost half of the
population is the future of this country. Their health, wellbeing and ability to reach their full
potential is of utmost importance. We cannot afford to have industrial chemicals lingering in
popular food items.

Thank you in advance for taking the time to consider this request. We are all impatiently
awaiting your feedback on the matter.

Kind regards,


Marianna


4 “Azodicarbonamide (ADA) Frequently Asked Questions”

https://www.fda.gov/Food/IngredientsPackagingLabeling/FoodAdditivesIngredien
ts/ucm387497.htm
5 CIA World Factbook, country profile: Jamaica

https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/jm.html

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