Forum: Look into reviewing food dyes used in Singapore
Forum: Look into reviewing food dyes used in Singapore
The US Food and Drug Administration is working with the food industry to phase out the use of petroleum-based synthetic dyes in food and drinks.
It announced it has plans for the industry to transition to natural alternatives and recently approved three natural food dyes – galdieria extract blue, butterfly pea flower extract, and calcium phosphate.
In Europe, several food dyes are banned or come with warning labels.
Will the authorities in Singapore consider reviewing the food dyes used here ?
For example, what red dye is used in char siew, and what orange dye is added to coconut toppings for some pastries?
While each serving may contain only a small amount, should we not be concerned about the potential effects of long-term accumulation in the body?
Ang Chiew Leng
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Straits Times
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More younger Singaporeans are getting Botox and collagen shots. How effective and safe are they?, Lifestyle News
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She said that she was "desperate for a solution" to stop her acne breakouts. "My bad skin affected my self-esteem quite a lot." The injections have reduced the appearance of her acne scars and dark eye circles, and smoothened her skin, she said. Although she was initially afraid of judgment from the public, Ms Tan went on to review her experiences with different skincare procedures on social media platform Lemon8. "There are so many influencers and celebrities paid to market skincare products, which I used to spend a lot of money on in my early 20s," she said. "I feel that I have the responsibility to be transparent and share what works and what doesn't with the people around me." Moderation, research is crucial While dermatologists say such treatments can be safe and give patients a confidence boost, they also caution against being excessive. But as with any injections, these treatments run the risk of side effects such as bruising, swelling and bleeding. In rare and severe cases, fillers might also cause blindness, said Dr Leong. Patients must be mindful to exercise moderation. People who start getting Botox and fillers may find it hard to stop, said Dr Tay. "Sometimes you might forget what you originally look like — this is called perception drift — and you keep thinking you need more fillers." Younger people, who are frequently on social media, might also chase a standard of beauty perpetuated online — a sharp face, and full lips and temples. "It's quite sad, because beauty is a very diverse thing," she said. Dr Toh said too much Botox at a young age may lead to a loss of muscle and a decrease in their strength. One's body may also develop antibodies against Botox and its effectiveness may be reduced over time, although such cases are rare, he added. Dr Leong said injecting too much Botox and fillers may also result in an unnatural-looking face. "Too much Botox might make your face look frozen, or make you look shocked all the time," he said. "Patients who get more fillers than they require might end up looking puffy." Dermatologists noted that some patients travel abroad — mainly to South Korea or Thailand — to get these treatments and warned that due diligence in ensuring that the clinics are reputable and have qualified professionals should be done. "The last thing you want is a non-medical person injecting fillers in your face," said Dr Tay, adding that research on relevant substances should also be done beforehand, as some might not be approved in Singapore due to safety reasons. While injectables may produce almost immediate results, they should remain a supplement to good skincare practices, said Dr Tay. Sun protection, using active skincare ingredients such as vitamin C or retinol, cleansing your face thoroughly and a healthy diet and lifestyle are integral to maintaining good skin, she said. "If you get all these treatments but don't maintain your skincare routine, you're back to square one." [[nid:716514]] This article was first published in The Straits Times . Permission required for reproduction.
