Social media posts have raised concerns about the ingredients used in Rokeby Choc Honeycomb Smoothie, claiming that additives such as erythritol, lactase enzyme and carrageenan may be harmful to consumers and must be avoided.
Fact Check:
The viral video showed that Rokeby Choc Honeycomb smoothie discord 0 out of 100 in a mobile scan app. The video showed that the product contains four additives that are harmful and needs to be avoided.
Hence, we checked the list of ingredients used in the product on the Rokeby website. The ingredients used are filtered low fat milk, cream, erythritol, cocoa powder, natural flavours, lactase enzyme, carrageenan and stevia (steviol glycosides).
Let’s check the safety of the few ingredients listed above.
Erythritol: Erythritol is a low-calorie sweetener commonly used in sugar-free foods and drinks. EFSA found that erythritol is rapidly absorbed by the body and excreted through urine. After reviewing human studies, EFSA concluded that erythritol does not raise concerns about genotoxicity and does not appear to affect blood sugar levels when consumed in short amounts. However, side effects like diarrhea, bloating, nausea, and abdominal discomfort may be seen when consumed in large amounts.
The FDA has listed erythritol as an approved ingredient and considers it safe to use in baked goods, cereals, dairy products, candies, jams, sauces etc. It is listed as Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS).
Lactase Enzyme: Lactase is an enzyme that breaks down lactose, natural sugar found in milk into simpler sugars that people with lactose intolerance can digest easily. After reviewing many studies it is found that there is no evidence of oral toxicity, genetic damage or chromosome damage upon consuming lactase enzymes. Researchers also found that even after the highest dose of 10000 mg per kilogram of body weight per day was given, it did not cause any adverse effects.
According to the Code of Federal Regulations, FDA recognizes lactase enzyme preparation from Kluyveromyces lactis as Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) for use in food. The enzyme is produced from a non-disease-causing, non-toxic yeast and is used to break down lactose. The regulation states that the enzyme must meet quality standards for food enzymes and can be used in food according to current good manufacturing practices. The FDA’s GRAS affirmation indicates that this enzyme preparation has been evaluated and is considered safe
Carrageenan: As per National Institute of Health’s report, food-grade carrageenan has a large molecular weight and is not absorbed by the body. It remains stable in the digestive system. Studies show that carrageenan does not cause cancer or promote tumors, and its effects on the immune system are not relevant to its oral consumption. Toxicological studies on carrageenan at very high doses (much higher than human exposure) show no harmful effects. International food safety organizations, like JECFA, have reviewed carrageenan and consider it safe for consumption with no specified daily intake limit.
EFSA evaluated the food additive carrageenan (E407) and processed Eucheuma seaweed (E 407a). Studies show that carrageenan is not absorbed by the body, is not toxic even at high doses, and does not cause cancer or genetic damage. Processed Eucheuma seaweed is considered equally safe. However, there are uncertainties about its chemistry, exposure levels, and some biological data. Because of these gaps, the current acceptable daily intake (ADI) of 75 mg/kg body weight per day is set for a temporary period. The organization is continuing its research on carrageenan.
Side Effects: Carrageenan is a common food additive derived from red seaweed and is generally recognized as safe by the FDA and other regulatory agencies. However, some people may experience digestive issues such as bloating, gas, diarrhea, or stomach discomfort. Some studies suggest that carrageenan could trigger gut inflammation or worsen conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in sensitive individuals.
Conclusion:
Fact Crescendo found the claim to be false. All the ingredients used in Rokeby Choc Honeycomb smoothie are safe and approved to be used in food and beverages except minor side effects which are not a health concern.
Title: Does Rokeby Choc Honeycomb Smoothie Contain Unsafe Additives?
Fact Check By: Siddharth Sahu
Result: False
