Chemical dyes are in all types of foods and despite evidence of some of them wreaking havoc; the FDA has allowed them to remain on the “safe list”.
Manufacturers like to use them due to their capabilities to enhance foods, gums etc. The results are vivid, consistent and very appealing.
The FDA monitors the production of nine synthetic color additives they consider safe. Consumer advocacy groups have linked two of these dyes, Red 40 and Yellow 6, to hyperactivity in many children.
It is said that sometime in late 2010 the European Union will require any product containing these dyes to be labeled as such “May have an adverse effect on activity or attention in children”. Some companies in Britain have already phased them out.
Tina Turbin
www.DannytheDragon.com
Interesting! Keep us posted!
I would definitely like to hear more about this. I avoid food dye as much as possible, but not 100%.
Does anyone know of any studies on this? I’d be interested to take a look at them. I know I give my kids a lot of foods with food dyes.
Yikes who knows what’s in that stuff? If you could post some research on it that would be wonderful!
Happy New Year to my favorite children’s author and blogger!
Europe is way ahead of us in the US but you will be interested to know that in March the FDA will be holding hearings on food dyes: http://www.fda.gov/AdvisoryCommittees/Calendar/ucm236321.htm
The Feingold Association has been helping parents avoid synthetic dyes, etc. since 1976. Check out its website and be sure to watch the video: http://www.feingold.org
It’s so sad too how food coloring is so prevalent especially in kids foods! That’s why it’s especially important to get these substances banned.
Ha. I can believe this hyperactivity connection. Parents need to watch out for what they feed their kids!
Oh gosh I’ve been reading about this stuff for years and it is NOT good at all I tell ya! I would love to see a big fat BAN on these harmful chemicals.
In March, the FDA will be holding hearings on food dyes. http://www.fda.gov/AdvisoryCommittees/Calendar/ucm236321.htm
Let’s hope the US will also be banning them.
I wonder what else food dyes are tied to beside hyperactivity!
Interesting…I note that when my niece and nephews eat their sugary foods they go a bit crazy, but come to think of it, there’s also food coloring in everything they eat, too. I wonder if it’s also the food coloring now?
I don’t think we really know what most of these chemicals are capable of, as not that many truly longterm studies exist. My motto is “When in doubt, don’t!”
I am not very happy that food coloring is so prevalent. I hope we can do something to get rid of this! Who wants to eat blue yogurt anyway??
I’m really glad you’re sharing this information with us!
Yup definitely something to beware of!
Oh no…this stuff really scares me. You really have to do your own homework on this stuff because you’re not going to hear much about it from the conventional media
I have always been concerned about this issue even though I don’t hear that much about this…I think it’s just common sense to leave this synthetic “food” alone!
@Marcia thanks so much for these awesome links!
@Marcia Thank you I will check these links out!
@Marcia thanks for the great link. I’m glad to be up to date finally on this issue because it really is an issue!
Here’s a pretty alarming resource on food additives in pregnancy http://www.chem-tox.com/pregnancy/artificial.htm Check it out!
I think there is a very strong connection between nutrition and behavior, in adults as well as children. I’m so happy you are alerting people to this, Tina!
Thanks everyone for the links, thanks Tina for this post
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), will hold a hearing on food dyes March 30 – 31, 2011. The US public has been invited to give their opinion on why these chemicals should be eliminated from the general food supply. You can send your submission by March 23 to Carolyn Jeletic, the Designated Federal Official. Her email address is carolyn.jeletic@fda.hhs.go