Food Dyes Linked to Behavioral Problems





This past March 29th and 30th the F.D.A. held hearings to listen to citizen petitions on the safety of artificial food dyes. Many hoped those hearings would lead to warning labels on food, or even the banning of all synthetic food dyes. Yet, the FDA Food Advisory Committee quickly reviewed the petitions and voted 8 to 6 against adding warning labels or a ban. Although the FDA is not required to follow the advice of its advisory panel, it almost always does. The hearing was in response to a 2008 petition filed by the Center for Science in the Public Interest to ban 8 of the 9 currently approved synthetic food dyes.

Last year the EU began requiring products containing artificial food colors to carry warning labels stating that "consumption may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children." And a committee of the European Parliament has voted to ban all synthetic dyes from foods consumed by babies and small children.(1) In England, the government asked food companies to voluntarily remove artificial dyes by the end of 2009. All companies complied. Synthetic food colors have been suspected of triggering behavioral problems in children since the 1970s, and a growing list of new studies show that synthetic dyes can cause hyperactivity in sensitive and non-sensitive children.(2) A 2007 study commissioned by the British Food Standards Agency that linked a mix of food dyes, with increased levels of hyperactivity, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and lower IQs in typical/ordinary children, is what triggeered the EU to take action. In the U.S., the FDA is not as quick to act. But in a recent statement, FDA staff admitted: "For certain susceptible children with ADHD and other problem behaviors, the data suggest their condition may be exacerbated" by substances in food including artificial colors.(3)

Basically synthetic food coloring is a mixture of lab chemicals combined with petro-chemicals. Four dyes - Red 3, Red 40, Yellow 5, and Yellow 6 - contain cancer-causing substances. And many of the other approved nine have been linked to allergic reactions.

Since synthetic food colorings are used almost exclusively in foods of low nutritional value (candy, soda, gelatin desserts, cake icing) that also have 'fun' status, why not notch down the fun factor a bit? This is only about the color, not the taste! The health of our children could only benefit. We only use synthetic dyes because they are less expensive and more consistent than natural dyes. Let the next generation grow accustomed to earth-colored birthday cakes, beet-colored candy, blotchy gelatin and clear soda. Our generation needs to let go of its oh so bright colored candy. Write to the FDA and see if you can't get them to eliminate artificially coloring from our diets...see below...

The Los Angeles Unified School District has banned sulfites, artificial red dye #40, and yellow dye #5 from their schools. Yea!^

FDA ARTIFICIAL COLORINGS:

For safer choices see bottom of page...


Note the Citrus Red 2 below!!! Important for orange eaters.


Caramel Color:
Sounds safe enough, but in fact there are four classes of caramel color.
The first two classes are safe. But not 3 and 4.
The 3rd class, ammonia caramel is sugar processed with ammonium compounds which is used to color beer, soy sauce and confectionery.
The 4th, ammonia sulfite process caramel, is sugar processed with both sulfite and ammonium compounds, which is used to color soda.

Problem is processing sugars with ammonia results in the formation of numerous chemical byproducts. Two of those byproducts: 2-methylimidazole (2-MI) and 4-methylimidazole (4-MI) are dangerous and known animal carcinogens. Government studies have shown 2-MI and 4-MI cause lung, liver, thyroid cancer or leukemia in laboratory mice and rats. Recently researchers at the University of California, Davis, found significant levels of 4-MI in five brands of cola (200 micrograms of 4-MI per 20-ounce bottle), those levels far exceeded what the state considers to be safe (16 micrograms per person per day.) California has recently added 4 MI to it’s list of “chemicals known to the state to cause cancer.” Under California’s Proposition 65, foods or other products containing more than certain levels of cancer-causing chemicals must carry warning labels. Soon soft drinks in California will be required to carry a cancer warning label unless they change their formulation.(4,5)

 

 

BLUE 1 or Brilliant Blue or E133

Artificial Coloring: Beverages, ice cream, canned processed peas, dairy products, baked goods, icings, candy and drinks.

 

Capacity for inducing an allergic reaction in individuals with pre-existing moderate asthma. One animal test suggested a small cancer risk, kidney tumors in mice and a test-tube study indicated the dye might affect nerve cell development. It also causes occasional allergic reactions. It is one of the colorants that the Hyperactive Children's Support Group and the Feingold Association recommends to be eliminated from the diet of children. US production exceeds 1 million pounds annually.

 

X
 

BLUE 2 or Indigo Carmine or E132

Artificial Coloring: Pet food, cereals, beverages, cherries, candy.

 

Animal studies found some evidence that Blue 2 causes brain cancer in male rats. In some it causes nausea, rashes and allergies. Banned in the EU.
X
X

CITRUS RED 2

Artificial Coloring: Permitted by the FDA since 1956 only for use in the United States to color the skin of whole oranges! Had no idea they were dying our oranges with a known carcinogen! Red Dye No. 2 is used early in the Florida citrus season when the fall nights are not cold enough to develop the perfect orange color (without cold evenings they are yellow or green). If you see bright orange Florida oranges in the fall, it's probably been dyed. Buy the California or Arizona oranges instead, as Citrus Red 2 is banned there. Has been found to be toxic to rodents at modest levels and caused tumors of the urinary bladder and possibly other organs.

 

The amounts that one might consume are small, so the risk is small. But use caution. Do not use Florida orange peels/rind in the fall, do not make marmalade from Florida oranges, do not have orange rind in mixed drinks. Banned in the EU.
X
X

GREEN 3 or Fast Green or E143

Artificial Coloring: Canned green peas and other vegetables, jellies, sauces, fish, desserts, and dry bakery mixes

Our least used FDA dye. Found to have tumorigenic effects in experimental animals, as well as mutagenic effects in both experimental animals and humans. A 1981 industry-sponsored study gave hints of bladder and testes tumors in male rats, but FDA re-analyzed the data using other statistical tests and concluded that the dye was safe. Fortunately, this possibly carcinogenic dye is not widely used. Banned in the EU.
X
X

ORANGE B

Artificial Coloring: Sausage and frankfurters.

 

Approved for use only in sausage and frankfurters casings, high doses of this dye are harmful to the liver and bile duct. However, that is not worrisome because Orange B has not been used for many years. Not used in EU.
X
X

RED 3 or Erythrosine or E127

Artificial Coloring: Candy, pistacchio shells, fruit roll-ups, chewing gum, cake icing, baked goods.

High doses have been found to cause cancer in rats. The evidence that this dye caused thyroid tumors in rats is "convincing," according to a 1983 review committee report requested by FDA. Years ago the FDA's recommendation that RED 3 be banned was overruled by pressure from elsewhere in the Reagan Administration. Red 3 used to color maraschino cherries, but it has been replaced there by the less controversial Red 40 dye. Banned in EU.
X
X

RED 40 or Allura Red AC or E129

Artificial Coloring: Soda pop, candy, gelatin desserts, pastries, pet food, sausage.

 

The most widely used food dye. While this is one of the most-tested food dyes, the key mouse tests were flawed and inconclusive. An FDA review committee acknowledged problems, but said evidence of harm was not "consistent" or "substantial." Red 40 can cause allergy-like reactions. Like other dyes, Red 40 is used mainly in junk foods. Linked to hyperactivity. Banned in Denmark, Belgium, France, Switzerland, and Sweden being phased out in the entire EU. Made of petroleum and 2-naphthalenesulfonic acid, 6-hydroxy-5-((2-methoxy-5-methyl-4-sulfophenyl)azo)-, disodium salt, and disodium 6-hydroxy-5-((2-methoxy-5-methyl-4-sulfophenyl)azo)-2-naphthalenesulfonate.
X
X

YELLOW 5 or Tartrazine or E102

Artificial Coloring: Sodas (Mountain Dew), energy drinks, corn chips, corn flakes, popcorn, pickles, egg noodles, ice cream, candy, pet food, baked goods, vitamins, shampoos and moisturizers.

 

The second-most-widely used coloring causes allergy-like hypersensitivity reactions, primarily in aspirin-sensitive persons, and triggers hyperactivity in some children. Hyperactive children may exhibit an increase in irritability, restlessness, and sleep disturbance after ingesting tartrazine. It may be contaminated with such cancer-causing substances as benzidine and 4-aminobiphenyl (or chemicals that the body converts to those substances). Tartrazine affects adversely and alters biochemical markers in vital organs e.g. liver and kidney not only at higher doses but also at low doses. Being phased out in the EU.
X
X

YELLOW 6 or Sunset Yellow or E110

Artificial Coloring: Orange sodas, breadcrumbs, snack chips, cheese sauce mixes, hot chocolate mix, candy, baked goods.

 

Yellow 6 may cause occasional, but sometimes-severe hypersensitivity reactions. Industry-sponsored animal tests indicated that this dye, the third most widely used, causes tumors of the adrenal gland and kidney. In addition, small amounts of several carcinogens, such as 4-aminobiphenyl and benzidine are a result of production. Yellow 6 can also increase the intake of aluminium. However, the FDA reviewed this data and found reasons to conclude that Yellow 6 does not pose a significant cancer risk to humans. Sunset Yellow is banned in Norway and Finland and is being phased out in the EU.
X
X

ARTIFICIAL AND NATURAL FLAVORING

Flavoring: Soda pop, candy, breakfast cereals, gelatin desserts, and many other foods.

Hundreds of chemicals are used to mimic natural flavors; many may be used in a single flavoring, such as for cherry soda pop. Most flavoring chemicals also occur in nature and are probably safe, but they are used almost exclusively in junk foods. Their use indicates that the real thing (often fruit) has been left out. Companies keep the identity of artificial (and natural) flavorings a deep secret. Flavorings may include substances to which some people are sensitive, such as MSG or HVP.


Be aware vegetarians:
Carmine food coloring is derived from dried female cochineal insects!

No comment!     Pic: www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=414201301097

SAFE Food Colorings:

India Tree Natural Decorating Colors are concentrated liquid vegetable colorants. Seattle, WA.  www.indiatree.com

Chocolate Craft Kits & Natural Dyes, Portland, OR.
www.chocolatecraftkits.com

Shop Bakers Nook  Saline, MI
www.shopbakersnook.com

Nature's Flavors  Orange, CA.
www.naturesflavors.com
X

Homemade Food Colorings - How to!
Good for Easter eggs as well, boil your food in some vinegar to really bring out the color.
www.kblog.lunchboxbunch.com

Safe Hair Color!
www.herbatintusa.com

Take Action - Sign:

Sign the Petition asking Kraft to rid its foods of chemical dyes!
www.thepetitionsite.com


Take Action - Write:

U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition
Outreach and Information Center
5100 Paint Branch Parkway HFS-009
College Park, MD 20740-3835
1-888-723-3366    
E-mail:  [email protected] 
  
  

Sample letter:

Dear Ms. Hamburg,

After researching the safety of artificial food dyes I am concerned as to their affects on our younger population. The EU and Britian have banned artificial food dyes, yet we have not. I ask that you request food manufacturers to switch to safer natural colorings. The health of our nation could only benefit.

Sincerely,


For Parents:
If you believe that food dyes affect your child’s behavior, please fill out a CSPI report form at: cspinet.org/fooddyes   They’ll forward the reports to the FDA.




Picture via: www.cspinet.org
United States vs England...     
There are many more products like this, the U.S. gets the synthetic dyes!



References:

(1,2) PhysOrg - Do synthetic food colors cause hyperactivity? Jan 6, 2011
www.physorg.com

(3) FDA examines link between food dyes, hyperactivity
www.newsfirst5.com

(4) FDA Urged to Prohibit Carcinogenic "Caramel Coloring"
www.cspinet.org

(5) Caramel Coloring in Soda: What You Should Know About This Innocent-Sounding Ingredient
www.huffingtonpost.com

The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) report "Food Dyes: A Rainbow of Risks" www.cspinet.org.pdf

CBS News: 'Food Dyes Linked to Allergies, ADHD and Cancer: Group Calls on US to Outlaw Their Use' www.cbsnews.com

Center for Science in the Public Interest
www.cspinet.org
 
The Feingold Diet Program for ADHD: www.feingold.org






Natural dye, please!

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Kim Crowell
Posts: 6

Allergic Reaction!
Reply #6 on : Sat March 30, 2013, 15:10:33

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My 12 year old son just had a horrible allergic reaction after having a blue Gatorade. We have known he's allergic to red dye since he was about 2 years old. He knows how terrible it makes him feel so he is always checking labels to make sure what he's about to eat does not have any of the red dyes. Well, he drank a blue Gatorade. He's had light blue Gatorade's in the past and did not even think to check the label of the dark blue drink. He became beat red and very angry. He got aggressive and was not thinking straight. I asked him immediately if he had any candy or anything with red dye and he angrily replied "NO! I did not have any red dye!" I asked him what he did have and he let me know that he drank two Gatorade drinks. I ran over to our friends ice chest and looked at the label. Sure enough, there the horrible ingredient was. It took my son about two hours to feel somewhat normal, then he felt sick to his stomach.
PLEASE stop adding dyes to food and drinks! Even for the kids/adults who aren't allergic to dyes, they stain faces, teeth, tongues, and clothing. It's NOT worth it!!

Anonymous
Posts: 6

Re: Food Dyes Linked to Behavioral Problems
Reply #5 on : Sat January 05, 2013, 07:40:31

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When my one year old niece came into my care, she was very aggressive, covered in eczema, and showed strong signs of being ADHD, so I followed advice to remove all colorings and flavorings from her diet as well as amines. Her eczema disappeared and her whole body relaxed. I was amazed to find I had to make almost everything (even butter!) from scratch in order to avoid additives.
What really astounded me - my own daughter was extremely placid but being the same age shared the diet. I treated her to some lightly flavored crackers when my niece was absent, and she bit me! No reason. Never happened before or since. A strong indication to me of why behavioral issues are so much more of a problem these days.
Assume they are in everything and read the ingredient labels. Even medicine brought her out in a rash, so I crushed tablets with jam until she was old enough to swallow them whole. Haven't been able to get any ingredients on the tablets...

Linda Myatt
Posts: 6

Red Dye 40, etc.
Reply #4 on : Fri November 30, 2012, 12:11:53

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Red dye 40 has negative effects on the adult brain as well. I've recently started paying more attention to the subject and have noticed that I am a lot more irritable and hostile about 12-24 hours after ingesting something that contains Red 40. Unfortunately, it is found in some unexpected things, such as some bakery-made pumpkin pies (like Walmart's), cough syrups, jello, and other relatively common items.

Anonymous
Posts: 6

Re: Food Dyes Linked to Behavioral Problems
Reply #3 on : Mon March 26, 2012, 19:09:28

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This website is very informative but it is pretty general when it comes to the foods that contain these substances.

Diane Moore
Posts: 6

Food, etc...
Reply #2 on : Wed January 11, 2012, 01:48:13

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Reply #1 says it all for me. It sickens me to read about all the toxins that are so hard to avoid. Why????? The greed for money. The root of all evil. My parents immigrated from The Netherlands to the U.S. back in the 50's. I can remember my Mom being so fussy about all the food she bought. Only fresh veggies, no cereals loaded with sugars, artificial colors, etc... No hot dogs, burgers we made ourselves from freshly ground meat at the butcher, no potato chips, no junk foods at all.
Ha, and I thought she was being mean! I skim through the obituaries daily, and it's shocking and sad to read how many people are dying of cancer, etc. Not just the elderly, YOUNG children and adults. I'm doing my best not to be one of them. Eat less, eat better. Support local and organic farming. You really ARE what you eat! Life is short enough. I've known far too many wonderful people that have died way too young of cancer.

Chris
Posts: 6

food dye
Reply #1 on : Wed May 18, 2011, 13:40:18

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To think that ingesting a petroleum produce will not cause adverse reaction over time is ridiculous. Anyone would be hard pressed to find a regular food on the market that does not contain some sort of food dye. It is in everything we eat. It is said that an average human being eats about 11 pounds of toxic chemicals each year and we wonder why ADD, ADHD, Bipolar and Cancer are growing at an alarming rate. There is absolutely no reason to add a petroleum product (food coloring) to anything we eat. The only reason the manufacturers do it is strictly marketing related. They have performed studies that show the human brain perceives bright colors like we see in nature, apples, grapes, oranges, tomatoes as good for our bodies. Therefore if they add color to it and make it brighter, human instinct kicks in and our brains crave it. In reality we are slowly killing ourselves and our children.
I absolutely hate when I read articles that state there are no studies that show food coloring is harmful. That is just the FDA’s way of saying the lobbyist have more power than you do. I have a child that began to act out with aggression and behaviors that were not natural, nor logical. We struggled for years as he was kicked out of daycare after daycare. As a last resort we took him to a doctor who diagnosed him as bipolar and put him on medication. We hated this but at the time; it was all we could do. We did not want him to hurt himself or anyone else. At one point he jumped out of a car at stoplight on a busy street because we passed a toy store and he was mad that we did not go there. After he was placed on medication, his issues lessened but did not go away completely. After about a year on the medication, he went through about a three week period where he slid back into the uncontrollable personality that he had been before the medication. I began to look at what had changed. I realized that a family member had given us a case of the little orange crackers and a case of a well known ranch flavored potato chips (I don’t want to mention names). Our kids at these standard US snacks at the rate of about 5 or six packages a day during those three weeks. I began to put two and two together and realized the common denominator was food coloring. We removed all foods with artificial food coloring, which by the way was not as easy as it sounds, and within a few days our child was calmed, sweet, and caring again. The few times he had a meltdown was directly related to a food with dye in it. One time we could not figure out why he was acting out, all he had was pizza. Then I found out there is yellow dye in pizza crust. Why you might ask? So it looks pretty and your brain tells you it is healthy food.
I find it amazing as I look around and kids are cramming cupcakes with bright blue frosting in their mouths at alarming rates, while the parents stand there and say, “I don’t know why everyone things little Johnny is ADD. Where did I go wrong?” … Really? I challenge you to walk in your local convenience store and find an item without artificial dye and by the why “Carmel coloring” found in many products is not natural either, it just sounds like it is.
Wake up America! The FDA has to quite playing the lobbyist money game while our children are the pawns.