Hydroxyanthracene derivatives (HADs) are phenolic compounds found in aloe vera as well as in everyday vegetables such as iceberg lettuce, green beans, cabbages, etc. Among aloe vera HADs we find aloins, barbeloins, aloe-emodins, emodins, and dantrone. Aloin is a yellowish, bitter and very laxative compound. In the case of aloe vera, HADs are found close to the leaf bark, separated from the parenchyma (internal part of the plant). Foods that contain ingredients from aloe vera inner leaf gel do not pose any risk to health or safety, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
On previous regulation
The Regulation (EC) No 1334/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2008, on flavourings and certain food ingredients with flavouring properties for use in and on foods and amending, set up HADs limit in aloe vera juices for oral consumption at 10 ppm.
In recent years, HADs have been highly questioned b...
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