Food colourings

Wow- so it's not just my imagination that when my children eat foods processed with artificial colors, they behave differently. A British group of investigators performed a randomized blinded trial among 153 3 year-olds and 144 8 to 9 year-olds. Kids were randomly assigned to receive a beverage containing sodium benzoate and one of two 'mixes' of artificial food color and additives, or a placebo drink. They found the kids exposed to these food additives were more likely to be hyperactive.

The amount of artificial coloring and sodium benzoate given to these children is equivalent to what you might find in 4 ounces of candy, for example.

PREVIOUS RESEARCH

A previous study by the same senior investigator in 2005 found similar findings- in that study that added and removed these offending agents and found differences in behavior within the same individual. A study by a group of different investigators looked at this issue back in 1994 and found kids suspected of hyperactivity had dramatic improvements in behavior with removal of artificial colors and then found a dose-response relationship between consumption of tartrazine and irritability, restlessness, and poor sleep. Tartrazine is derived from coal tar and found in a wide range of foods such as yoghurt, chips, instant puddings, soft drinks and many more.

WHICH PRODUCTS CONTAIN SODIUM BENZOATE AND ARTIFICIAL COLORINGS?

Sodium Benzoate is a preservative found in fruit juice, preserves, carbonated drinks, and pickles. In addition to causing behavioral problems in children, when combined with ascorbic acid it forms benzene, a known cancer-causing compound. Despite FDA urging, companies continued using this compound in products containing ascorbic acid and therefore in 2006 a lawsuit was filed and Coca-cola, PepsiCo, and other soft-drink companies were forced to reformualte their beverages.

Artificial coloring is found in processed foods that usually have little nutritional value. The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) provides a terrific Table on Food Additives. They describe artificial colorings as "synthetic chemicals that do not occur in nature. Because colorings are used almost solely in foods of low nutritional value (candy, soda pop, gelatin desserts, etc.), you should simply avoid all artificially colored foods. In addition to problems mentioned below, colorings cause hyperactivity in some sensitive children. The use of coloring usually indicates that fruit or other natural ingredient has not been used."

Here is a summary of the CSPI findings and recommendations:

Avoid

• Blue 1- Beverages, candy, baked goods; Inadequately tested; suggestions of a small cancer risk
• Blue 2 - Pet food, beverages, candy; the largest study suggested, but did not prove, that this dye caused brain tumors in male mice. The FDA concluded that there is "reasonable certainty of no harm."
• Green 3- Candy, beverages; a 1981 industry-sponsored study gave hints of bladder cancer, but FDA re-analyzed the data using other statistical tests and concluded that the dye was safe.
• Red 3- Cherries in fruit cocktail, candy, baked goods; The evidence that this dye caused thyroid tumors in rats is "convincing," according to a 1983 review committee report requested by FDA. FDA's recommendation that the dye be banned was overruled by pressure from elsewhere in the Reagan Administration.
• Yellow 6- Beverages, sausage, baked goods, candy, gelatin; 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 contaminate Yellow 6. However, the FDA reviewed those data and found reasons to conclude that Yellow 6 does not pose a significant cancer risk to humans. Yellow 6 may also cause occasional allergic reactions.

Try to Avoid

• Citrus Red 2- Skin of some Florida oranges only; studies indicated that this additive causes cancer. The dye does not seep through the orange skin into the pulp. No risk except when eating peel.
• Red 40- Soda pop, candy, gelatin desserts, pastry, 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." Like other dyes, Red 40 is used mainly in junk foods.
• Yellow 5 -Gelatin dessert, candy, pet food, baked goods; the second most widely used coloring causes mild allergic reactions, primarily in aspirin-sensitive persons.

EXPERT COMMENTARY ON THE RECENT STUDY

Dr. Howard Bauchner, the Associate Editor for General Medicine Journal Watch, had this to say:

"These results will likely fuel parental concern that food additives, such as tartrazine, sunset yellow, and allura red, either cause or increase behaviors consistent with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The study lends credence to such concerns although it certainly doesn't tell us whether food additives are a major contributor to ADHD. A more meticulous study is unlikely."

WHAT CAN YOU DO ABOUT IT?

• Avoid 'junk food' which is virtually guaranteed to contain these food additives.
• Read my post on 'Learning to Read Food Labels' to better understand how to find healthier foods for you and your family, in general.
• See the Food Additive Table to learn more about Food Additives.