Don’t scare people with flimsy evidence

The research by Dr Vivian Howard sponsored by Organix (MW March 9) claims that combinations of food additives such as monosodium glutamate and aspartame form toxic cocktails is “junk science”.

The research involved looking at the response to cells in a test-tube to various combinations of additives.

This has no relation to human health. Evidence for the safety of additives comes from human and animal feeding studies and the extensive monitoring of populations exposed to them in epidemiological studies.

I am dismayed that the Soil Association is using such flimsy evidence as part of a propaganda campaign to scare consumers from consuming food containing additives that have been tested and shown to be safe by regulatory authorities throughout the EU.

Professor Tom Sanders

Head of the research division of nutritional sciences

King’s College London

London SE1