Calcium propionate 282 used to be the most common mould inhibitor used in most breads, wraps and rolls. Many bakeries now do not use it anymore because of the negative side effects of this preservative on not only your children’s health, but because there are many more naturally occuring ways to preserve bread. More than that, if you consume your bread within a few days, you don’t actually need to have bread or wraps with preservatives in them. See [1].
Studies [2] have clearly indicated that
“irritability, restlessness, inattention and sleep disturbance in some children may be caused by a preservative in healthy foods consumed daily.”
These behavioral changes appear to be reversible when the preservative is removed from the child’s diet.
So, it was really disappointing to hear it from the GYG representative when we contacted them that their wraps also contained this preservative:
I enquired with the culinary team regarding the preservatives and the response is that currently the tortillas do have preservative 282 in them
Oh wow! These preservatives (along with 282, 280) have been known to cause these issues since 2002, and GYG is still using them and that is very disappointing to us. GYG is one of our favorite Mexican joint and we eat there at least once a week. The issues are not just related to effects in children, but adults too. See full research into the use of these additives here [3].
The good news? GYG rep went on to promise that they are rolling out preservative free wraps:
In the very near future (within a month), we will have preservative free tortillas rolling out nationally. It is my understanding that it is being trialled at the moment and going well.
Of course, they could be just saying that as well, and I guess till we know for sure, it might be best to avoid GYG all together.
[2] http://www.livestrong.com/article/314019-the-side-effects-of-calcium-propionate/
