Foods containing synthetic food dyes make children vulnerable to hyperactivity and other behavioral problems, according to a new report by California state scientists.
The California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, or OEHHA, published the results of a two-year study that reviewed extensive research. They found that food dyes, such as Red No. 40 and Yellow No. 5 – two of the nine color additives approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration for use in food and drinks – pose significant risks to children when their brains are in a critical stage of development.
OEHHA’s report concluded that human studies show that dyes are associated with inattentiveness, hyperactivity, and restlessness in sensitive children.
Chemicals of Concern
In this list, we are only discussing the most used food colors.
Red No. 40
Red Dye 40 is a synthetic color additive or food dye made from petroleum. As one of the most widely used color additives, Red Dye 40 is found in a variety of foods and beverages, including:
- Dairy products: flavored milk, yogurt, puddings, ice cream, and popsicles
- Sweets and baked goods: cakes, pastries, candy, and chewing gum
- Snacks and other items: breakfast cereals and bars, jello, fruit snacks, chips
- Beverages: soda, sports drinks, energy drinks, and powdered drink mixes, including some protein powders
It is often associated with hyperactivity and inattentiveness in children.
Yellow No. 5 [C16H9N4Na3O9S2]
Here are a few common foods that contain yellow 5:
- Pastries
- Neon-colored sodas, like Mountain Dew
- Kids’ fruit drinks
- Brightly colored candy
- Breakfast cereals like Cap’N Crunch
- Pre-packaged pasta mixes
- Frozen treats, such as Popsicles
Yellow No. 6 or Sunset Yellow FCF
Sunset yellow is used in foods, condoms, cosmetics, and drugs. Sunset Yellow FCF is used as an orange or yellow-orange dye. For example, it is used in candy, desserts, snacks, sauces, and preserved fruits. Sunset Yellow is often used in conjunction with E123, amaranth, to produce a brown coloring in both chocolates and caramel.
Red No. 3 [C20H6I4Na2O5]
Red No. 3 is a common food dye found in over 2,000 products in EWG’s Food Scores database of products. The scores of those food products are affected by the presence of the dye.
The dye is used in many processed foods, from snack cakes to imitation bacon bits, but it’s usually found in decorated cookies and candies, especially seasonal candies. Brands of candy corn, Brach’s Conversation Hearts, and all sorts of peppermint-flavored sweets use it to create their bright, vibrant colors.
- Food coloring agent
- Printing ink
It causes cancer in animals in the tests.
So why are these unsafe dyes still being allowed to be added to food?
To the best of my knowledge, the reason lies in indifference and unscientific understanding. A molecule is considered a molecule whether the source is natural or artificial. So far so good, but whenever there is a molecule present in a natural source it is never present alone. There is a whole ecosystem. So whenever we take something from a natural source, it will be much more suited to our body than an extracted molecule.
The federal law on color additives reaches back to 1960 and does not require that approved colors be reassessed – ever. The safety of Yellow No. 5 was last reviewed by the FDA in 1969 and that of Red No. 40 in 1971. These evaluations are clearly outdated and not based on current science.
What can you do?
What can you do to save yourself and your children from such chemicals:
- Either you can learn all about these chemicals and become paranoid or simply avoid processed food altogether. Choose fresh, whole foods when possible, and only eat processed food that either you have prepared. Stop outsourcing of food processing to others!
- Another but more expensive alternative is to choose organic foods. Organic food by definition can not have any of these chemicals but do pay attention to adulteration and food fraud.
- Stay informed and share this knowledge with the community. Help people around you by making informed choices so that we can call off the bluff of the food industry.
- Speaking up. Join parents and consumer advocacy groups in petitioning for warning labels. Contact food manufacturers to ask them to remove artificial colors from foods marketed directly to children.