Is Sazon Goya, a product of Goya foods, that uses ingredients which are carcinogenic and toxic in nature?

Sazon Goya, a product of Goya Foods is well-known and loved for its variety of spices available in the market. The company completed its 50 years a couple of years ago. But recently, people raised their concern for some of the ingredients present in the Sazon spice mix.

Social media users are claiming that Sazon Goys contains ingredients like Red 40, Yellow 5, Tricalcium phosphate and Monosodium Glutamate MSG which causes migraine, cancer and other adverse health effects. 

However, Fact Crescendo found the claims to be false. All the ingredients mentioned in the post are safe when consumed under prescribed limits.

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Fact Check- 

Are all the mentioned ingredients in Sazon Goya carcinogenic and lead to other major health issues? Let’s check each of the mentioned ingredients one by one.

Red 40: 

Red 40, also known as FD&C Red No. 40, is a synthetic dye commonly used to add bright red color to foods and drinks. Its main ingredient is Allura Red AC. Health authorities, including the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), have reviewed its safety and determined that it is safe to consume within the recommended daily limit of 0–7 mg per kilogram of body weight. While a recent study suggested that very high doses might cause DNA damage in mice, long-term research has found no link between Red 40 and cancer, even at levels far beyond typical human consumption. Other safety tests have also shown no significant harm. Based on current evidence, experts consider Red 40 safe to use as a food additive when consumed in normal amounts.

Yellow 5: 

The EFSA reviewed the safety of Yellow 5, also known as Tartrazine which is a yellow food dye used in many products. Studies showed that only a tiny amount of Tartrazine is absorbed by the body, while most of it is broken down by gut bacteria and leaves the body in urine. An acceptable daily intake (ADI) of 7.5 mg per kg of body weight was set many years ago, but the studies used were not detailed enough or focused on mixtures of dyes instead of just Tartrazine. Because of this, EFSA advised for more research to fully understand if Tartrazine is safe and if the ADI needs to be updated.

Yellow 5 is approved in countries like the USA, Canada, and the EU. Some people believe it can cause reactions like hyperactivity, asthma, rashes, or allergies, but early studies had flaws and gave misleading results. Stronger research has shown that it does not cause asthma attacks or skin reactions, even in people sensitive to aspirin. Only a very small number of people (less than 1%) may be sensitive to it. The FDA approved Yellow 5 in 1931, and it is still commonly used and considered safe for most people.

MSG: 

MSG consists of sodium and L-glutamate, which enhance the umami flavor without altering salt perception. According to regulatory authorities like the U.S. FDA, MSG is classified as “Generally Recognized as Safe” (GRAS). 

The FDA recommends keeping MSG intake below 0.5 grams per meal, as larger amounts (over 3 grams) may cause mild, transient symptoms in some individuals, such as headaches or flushing. However, most foods with added MSG contain less than 0.5 grams per serving, making overconsumption unlikely. Similarly, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the World Health Organization (WHO) affirm MSG’s safety within regulated limits. 

FDA recommendations can be referred here, and European Union guidance can be found here. 

Tricalcium Phosphate:

The EFSA Panel on Food Additives reviewed the safety of phosphates (including tricalcium phosphate) as food additives. They found that phosphates are essential for life, have low toxicity, and don’t cause cancer or genetic issues. The body absorbs 80–90% of phosphate, and it is mostly excreted through the kidneys. They set a safe daily intake limit (ADI) of 40 mg per kg of body weight. However, their study showed that some infants, toddlers, and children may exceed this limit through their diet, especially with food supplements. Despite this, no safety concerns were found for infants under 16 weeks old who consume medical foods. 

According to the National Library of Medicine, a study found that Tricalcium Phosphate (TCP) contains nano-sized hydroxyapatite (HA) particles. These particles tend to clump together in water and dissolve in acidic environments, such as the stomach. Since TCP in Europe may be considered a nanomaterial, researchers are questioning its potential effects on the digestive system. While there is no direct evidence of harm, the long-term safety of ingesting these nano-sized particles is still unclear, and further studies may be needed to assess any potential health risks.

Conclusion: 

Fact Crescendo found the claim to be false. Sazon Goya spice mix is safe for consumption. Ingredients like Red 40, Yellow 5, Tricalcium Phosphate and MSG, available in the product are safe when consumed within the Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) value set by food safety regulatory bodies.