dulcoease
Unknown brand
Processing
4
Ultra-processed
Group 4 of 4 on the NOVA scale
Additives listed
8
3 we grade moderate or higher
4 of them not yet assessed here
Nutrients
–
Nothing above the low band
Or no figures recorded at all
Three separate readings, kept apart on purpose. This is not a score, and none of it says this product is harmful.
Additives (8)
This label lists 3 colours, 2 thickeners and gelling agents, 1 carrier, 1 additive and 1 sweetener.
E104
Quinoline Yellow
Greenish yellow colour
What it is. A synthetic dye giving a dull greenish yellow.
Why it is used. Colours sweets, ices, sauces and some smoked fish.
What the evidence says. One of the Southampton Six, carrying the same hyperactivity signal in sensitive children. EFSA also lowered its acceptable daily intake in 2009 after re-examining the older toxicology.
Children's activity warning required in the UK and EU. Not approved for general food use in the US.
Assessed against UK FSA, EFSA. Full entry for E104
E110
Sunset Yellow FCF
Orange-yellow colour
What it is. A synthetic orange yellow dye.
Why it is used. Colours squashes, sweets, snacks and desserts.
What the evidence says. Also one of the Southampton Six, carrying the same signal for hyperactivity in sensitive children.
UK and EU require the children's activity warning. Permitted in the US.
Assessed against UK FSA, EFSA. Full entry for E110
E171
Titanium dioxide
Whitener and opacifier
What it is. A bright white pigment used to make sweets, icing, sauces and coatings look opaque and white.
Why it is used. Purely cosmetic. It changes appearance, not taste or safety of the food.
What the evidence says. In 2021 the EU food safety body EFSA concluded it could no longer be considered safe as a food additive, mainly because possible genetic damage from the tiny particles could not be ruled out. That is a precautionary call rather than proof of harm in people.
Banned as a food additive in the EU since 2022. Still permitted in the UK and the US, which reached different conclusions on the same evidence. A clear case of the same additive, different rules.
Assessed against EFSA, UK FSA, US FDA. Full entry for E171
E420
Sorbitol
Sweetener and humectant
What it is. A sugar alcohol, about half as sweet as sugar, which also holds moisture.
Why it is used. Used in sugar free sweets and gum, and to keep baked goods soft.
What the evidence says. Not a toxicity question at all. Sugar alcohols are poorly absorbed, so a large amount draws water into the gut and has a laxative effect. That is well established, predictable and dose dependent, which is why the label has to say so.
Permitted. Foods with more than 10 per cent polyols must carry the statement that excessive consumption may produce laxative effects.
Assessed against EFSA, UK FSA. Full entry for E420
Also on the label, not assessed here yet
- E1520 Propane-1,2-diol carrier
- E400 Alginic acid thickener
- E422 Glycerol other
- E428 Gelatine thickener
Names and jobs come from the register of additives permitted in Great Britain, which we have not finished transcribing: a code shown without a name is a gap in our coverage, not a finding that it is unapproved. Naming one is not grading it either. Full detail appears only where we have an assessment against a named authority, so all of this describes our coverage rather than these additives. Most are common and low concern.
Ingredients
of children do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the carton and blister label after exp. the expiry date refers to the last date of that month •do not store above 25°c • store in the original package in order to protect from moisture do not throw away any medicines via waste water or household waste. ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. these measures will help protect the environment 6. contents of the pack and other information what dulcoease contains the active substance is docusate sodium. each capsule contains 100 mg of docusate sodium the other ingredients are: macrogol 400, propylene glycol, gelatin, glycerol, sorbitol (e420), titanium dioxide (e171), water, sunset yellow (e110), and quinoline yellow (e104) /hat dulcoease capsules look like and ntents of the pack care vellow and
As printed on the pack, in the producer's own order: ingredients are listed by weight, so what comes first is most of what is in it. E numbers link to their assessment where we have one.