Ferragni-branded Daygum‘special edition‘ gum contains unsavory additives. One of these promotes obesity; others are suspected of causing cancer. A price too high to simulate white teeth by ruminating a bolus ‘recommended’ by a commercial phenomenon.
The list of additives in Daygum Instant White Ferragni gum is disturbing.
The endocrine disruptor that promotes obesity
BHT (Butylhydroxytoluene), also listed in the ingredient list as E321, is a synthetic antioxidant. It is banned in organic and is subject to an ADI (acceptable daily intake) of 0.3 mg per kg body weight. In fact, it is considered an endocrine disruptor, that is, a disruptor of hormones, particularly those that communicate satiety to the brain, thus promoting obesity, as indicated in a study published in Nature Communication (and after two years withdrawn, but only because of errors in some images). (1)
Dietary exposure of the population to BHT occurs through the consumption of industrial foods (as in the case of the gum under consideration) and foods of animal origin. On non-organic farms, BHT is routinely added in feed. According to a recent EFSA opinion, ‘consumer exposure to BHT from tissues and products of animals fed the additive ranged from 1 percent to 3 percent of the acceptable daily intake (ADI).’ (2)
An intestinal carcinogen
Sucrose esters of fatty acids (E 473) are problematic emulsifiers and stabilizers. According to EFSA, the use of these additives (E473 – E474) is so extensive that the ADI of 40 mg/kgpc is exceeded. (3) The least serious contraindication is the laxative effect.
More alarming is the possibility that the additive contains residues of acetaldehyde, classified by IARC as a possible carcinogen (Group 2B) or certain carcinogen (Group 1), when consumed with alcohol.
Like other emulsifiers, including sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (E 466) found in Ferragni gum, additive E 473 is also suspected of promoting chronic inflammatory bowel disease (a risk factor for colon cancer), increased adiposity, and the development of diabetes. (4)
The synthetic sweeteners
In addition to the ‘obesogenic’ additives mentioned, Ferragni’s Daygum gums add two well-known synthetic sweeteners-aspartame and acesulfame k-which are paradoxically considered responsible for causing weight gain. (5) A suspicion reiterated by the recent French study, which also correlates its consumption with increased risk for breast cancer. (6)
The two synthetic sweeteners-which we also found in nonalcoholic aperitifs-are also reported to be responsible for additional health harms. Aspartame (E 951) is reported to be harmful to the microbiome and health of pregnant or lactating women and their children. (7) Acesufame k (E 950), combined with low-calorie diet, caused cognitive memory impairment in a guinea pig study. (8)
With more or less truly white teeth, there is little to smile about.
Marta Strinati
Cover image inspired by PH Credit Instagram @chiaraferragni
Notes
(1) Rajamani, U., Gross, A.R., Ocampo, C. et al. RETRACTED ARTICLE: Endocrine disruptors induce perturbations in endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria of human pluripotent stem cell derivatives. Nat Commun 8, 219 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-017-00254-8 The authors withdrew the study two years after publication, explaining that ‘During the assembly of the figure some images were processed inappropriately in Figs. 3d, 4b and 6a of Art. These data integrity issues undermine our full confidence in the integrity of the study, and the authors therefore wish to retract the article‘.
(2) EFSA. Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) for all animal species (Lanxess Deutschland GmbH). 3.5.22 https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/efsajournal/pub/7286
(3) EFSA. Refined exposure assessment of sucrose esters of fatty acids (E 473) from its use as a food additive. 5.1.18 https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2018.5087
(4) Marta Strinati. Some emulsifying additives alter the microbiota. Scientific study. GIFT(Great Italian Food Trade), 9/18/19
(5) Marta Strinati. Zero-calorie sweeteners, paradox effect. GIFT(Great Italian Food Trade) 22.4.18.
(6) Charlotte Debras et al. Artificial sweeteners and cancer risk: Results from the NutriNet-Santé population-based cohort study. PLOS Medicine 2022. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1003950
(7) Dario Dongo, Camilla Fincardi. Intensive sweeteners, microbiome, and health risks. Scientific study. GIFT(Great Italian Food Trade), 1.3.20
(8) Marta Strinati.
Acesulfame K and diet, memory impairment.
. GIFT(Great Italian Food Trade), 3.3.18.
Professional journalist since January 1995, he has worked for newspapers (Il Messaggero, Paese Sera, La Stampa) and periodicals (NumeroUno, Il Salvagente). She is the author of journalistic surveys on food, she has published the book "Reading labels to know what we eat".
