Old El Paso tacos contain ingredients like Xanthan Gum and emulsifiers which are bad for health? No. The viral claim is misleading

Old El Paso is a popular Tex-Mex food brand. It was founded in 1938 in El Paso, Texas, and later became part of General Mills. It is famous for its ready-made taco shells, tortillas, sauces, and seasoning mixes.

Recently, social media users were found claiming that Old El Paso tacos contain ingredients like Xanthan Gum and emulsifiers which are considered bad for health and lead to various issues. 

However, Fact Crescendo found the claim to be misleading. Various food safety bodies had concluded that both the ingredients in Old El Paso Tacos are safe when consumed within established limits.

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Fact Check- 

In our research, we first checked if both Xanthan Gum and Mono-and Diglycerides of Fatty Acids are there in the product. We found out that there are many varieties of Old El Paso taco shells. Some of them contain Xanthan Gum while others do not have it. You can check the complete list of ingredients here and here. 

Are the two mentioned ingredients really bad for health? Below you can check the facts related to both Xanthan Gum and Mono-and Diglycerides of Fatty Acids.

Xanthan Gum: Xanthan gum is a hydrocolloid that stabilizes and thickens foods. Xanthan gum is made from a bacteria found on the leaf surfaces of green vegetables, including broccoli, brussels sprouts, cauliflower etc. The bacteria is fermented (much like cheese or wine), then dried and ground into powder. Xanthan gum is used in salad dressings, sauces, beverages, dairy products, syrups etc. 

According to the National Institute of Health, It is a food additive that is allowed and regulated by food safety authorities like the FDA and the EFSA. Different countries have set limits on how much can be used in foods. The European Union allows up to 2000 mg per kg of food, while the FDA allows up to 0.5% by weight. Foods containing xanthan gum must clearly mention it on the label so that people with allergies or sensitivities are informed. Xanthan gum is sold as a dietary supplement, especially for keto and low-carbohydrate diets.

According to another report, the ingredient is considered safe when it is consumed within 15 grams in a day. However, it may cause mild side effects like gas and bloating. Upon inhaling this flu-like symptoms, irritation of the nose and throat, or lung problems may arise. Studies did not find enough information about its safety during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Hence, it had been advised not to consume the ingredient beyond the safety limits. 

Mono-and Diglycerides of Fatty Acids: EFSA reviewed the safety of mono- and di-glycerides of fatty acids (E471), a common food additive used as an emulsifier. The panel found that in the body, E471 is broken down into glycerol and fatty acids, which are normal substances already evaluated as safe. Studies conducted for short-term and long-term effects showed no harmful effects, including no evidence of cancer risk, genetic damage, or problems with reproduction or development. Based on all the evidence, EFSA concluded that E471 is safe at current usage levels and does not need a specific daily intake limit.

The National Institute of Health report states that Mono- and di-glycerides of fatty acids (E471) are approved food additives in the European Union with an upper limit of 4 g/L in infant formulas and 5 g/kg in weaning foods. The study revealed that the body breaks this ingredient into glycerol (E422) and fatty acids (E570) which have been reviewed earlier and found to be safe. 

Conclusion: 

Fact Crescendo found the claim to be misleading. Both Xanthan Gum and Mono- and di-glycerides of fatty acids in Old El Paso are safe and do not cause health issues when consumed within the established limits.