Artifical Colors for food
Started by Erasmo, Oct 23 2008 05:12 PM
Hi All,
I’m sure it’s a myth but, does anybody knows about a scientific publication that relates mental disorders and other side effects in children due to the consumption of food products with artificial colors (yellow No. 6 & 5, red, No. 40, and others).
I’m sure it’s a myth but, does anybody knows about a scientific publication that relates mental disorders and other side effects in children due to the consumption of food products with artificial colors (yellow No. 6 & 5, red, No. 40, and others).
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Can anybody help Erasmo?
Hello Erasmo.
Following a scientific study by the food standards agency [1], it was discovered that some combinations of food additives could lead to hyperactivity in children. . This comes on the back of previous studies that also came to a similar conclusion [2]. This has been a further catalyst for the industry as a whole to start thinking about these additives and looking at alternatives. Companies such as Haribo have moved to natural colourings and flavourings, which have “helped to increase total retail sales value by nearly 20% between 2002 and 2006.” (Mintel, 2007). With companies such as Asda also making a commitment to “the removal of all artificial colours and flavours from every single one of its own label food and soft drinks products” [3] by the end of 2007, this is a hot topic and obviously is becoming more of a consumer issue.
The industry in some areas relies on these additives in their foods (Ready meals, confectionery etc.). The results of this investigation threaten the ongoing use of certain colourings and therefore new ones have to be researched and put forward as alternatives. This places the pressure with the food colouring industry, and will result in pressure from consumers and therefore suppliers to replace these colorants.
The meeting held by the FSA on 9th October 2007 was intended to clarify the situation and also look at ways of reducing the additives used. It is in the interest of food processors to start looking at this side of their product, as it may be that the European Food Safety Authority recommendations result in new EC law to prevent these additives being used. If this is the case, a pre-emptive reduction could save a lot of time and expense and also improve consumer demand.
The Food Standards Agency is an independent government body and therefore can react to consumer concerns and also commission its own research. This is a good example of the effect bodies like this can have on the food industry. However it is concerning that effective studies were not carried out before now, but it has obviously been on the agenda for the major food suppliers as they are already working towards new additives. The research done by the agency does have some less well-defined areas. Suggestions that hyperactivity response was related to genetic make-up mean that not all children will show a reaction. However if it is possible to replace these additives it should be done, even if not all children are affected.
[1] Stevenson.J et al, 2007, Food additives and hyperactive behaviour in 3-year-old and 8/9-year-old children in the community: a randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial, The Lancet, [online], www.sciencedirect.com
[2] B Bateman, JO Warner and E Hutchinson et al., The effects of a double blind, placebo controlled, artificial food colourings and benzoate preservative challenge on hyperactivity in a general population sample of preschool children, Archives of Disease in Childhood 89 (2004), pp. 506–511
[3]http://www.asda-pres...ressrelease/111
Hope this helps!
Following a scientific study by the food standards agency [1], it was discovered that some combinations of food additives could lead to hyperactivity in children. . This comes on the back of previous studies that also came to a similar conclusion [2]. This has been a further catalyst for the industry as a whole to start thinking about these additives and looking at alternatives. Companies such as Haribo have moved to natural colourings and flavourings, which have “helped to increase total retail sales value by nearly 20% between 2002 and 2006.” (Mintel, 2007). With companies such as Asda also making a commitment to “the removal of all artificial colours and flavours from every single one of its own label food and soft drinks products” [3] by the end of 2007, this is a hot topic and obviously is becoming more of a consumer issue.
The industry in some areas relies on these additives in their foods (Ready meals, confectionery etc.). The results of this investigation threaten the ongoing use of certain colourings and therefore new ones have to be researched and put forward as alternatives. This places the pressure with the food colouring industry, and will result in pressure from consumers and therefore suppliers to replace these colorants.
The meeting held by the FSA on 9th October 2007 was intended to clarify the situation and also look at ways of reducing the additives used. It is in the interest of food processors to start looking at this side of their product, as it may be that the European Food Safety Authority recommendations result in new EC law to prevent these additives being used. If this is the case, a pre-emptive reduction could save a lot of time and expense and also improve consumer demand.
The Food Standards Agency is an independent government body and therefore can react to consumer concerns and also commission its own research. This is a good example of the effect bodies like this can have on the food industry. However it is concerning that effective studies were not carried out before now, but it has obviously been on the agenda for the major food suppliers as they are already working towards new additives. The research done by the agency does have some less well-defined areas. Suggestions that hyperactivity response was related to genetic make-up mean that not all children will show a reaction. However if it is possible to replace these additives it should be done, even if not all children are affected.
[1] Stevenson.J et al, 2007, Food additives and hyperactive behaviour in 3-year-old and 8/9-year-old children in the community: a randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial, The Lancet, [online], www.sciencedirect.com
[2] B Bateman, JO Warner and E Hutchinson et al., The effects of a double blind, placebo controlled, artificial food colourings and benzoate preservative challenge on hyperactivity in a general population sample of preschool children, Archives of Disease in Childhood 89 (2004), pp. 506–511
[3]http://www.asda-pres...ressrelease/111
Hope this helps!
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My feelings are the research was flawed in its design. I don't doubt some of these colours are causing issues; however, they were tried in complex mixtures. I'd like to see them tried in isolation and also in all the different combinations to see if there is a cumulative effect.
One thing people aren't aware of is "natural" colours are used in vastly higher quantities to achieve the same result. I would also like to see some research on whether these influence hyperactivity as well in blind trials vs. the artificial.
As a child of the 70's how the hell did we cope growing up drinking juice containing tatrazine, eating sweets coloured with azo dyes, no seatbelts on the back seat...?
One thing people aren't aware of is "natural" colours are used in vastly higher quantities to achieve the same result. I would also like to see some research on whether these influence hyperactivity as well in blind trials vs. the artificial.
As a child of the 70's how the hell did we cope growing up drinking juice containing tatrazine, eating sweets coloured with azo dyes, no seatbelts on the back seat...?
Born in 1966 I may be living evdidence to counter your point GMO.As a child of the 70's how the hell did we cope growing up drinking juice containing tatrazine, eating sweets coloured with azo dyes, no seatbelts on the back seat...?
So is it or not true that certain combinations of dyes cause hyperactivity? There wasn´t such a thing as a hyperactive kid in the 70's. If you were a handful, you got spanked (oops, maybe not in in Europe or the US) and everyone went on their merry way.
The bakery I worked for uses artificial dyes for decorating cakes. They became very upset over a call from a customer that informed them that she'd found traces of the dye from a cake in her son´s feces. I wonder if that woman had ever eaten beets. That sure puts some color in unexpected places!
The bakery I worked for uses artificial dyes for decorating cakes. They became very upset over a call from a customer that informed them that she'd found traces of the dye from a cake in her son´s feces. I wonder if that woman had ever eaten beets. That sure puts some color in unexpected places!
Spanking or walloping as we like to call it was all the rage in the 70s and even the 80's here in the UK. It never did me any harm (he says). No seriously some people think that the demise of corporal punishment in schools and tougher discipline within society in general and the rise of liberalism is part of the cause of the social problems, lack of respect, increase in violence etc. Kind of paradoxical isn’t it. Give them all a cuddle and they beat the crap out of old ladies in return. I’ll get of my high horse now.So is it or not true that certain combinations of dyes cause hyperactivity? There wasn´t such a thing as a hyperactive kid in the 70's. If you were a handful, you got spanked (oops, maybe not in in Europe or the US) and everyone went on their merry way.
The bakery I worked for uses artificial dyes for decorating cakes. They became very upset over a call from a customer that informed them that she'd found traces of the dye from a cake in her son´s feces. I wonder if that woman had ever eaten beets. That sure puts some color in unexpected places!
No seriously some people think that the demise of corporal punishment in schools and tougher discipline within society in general and the rise of liberalism is part of the cause of the social problems, lack of respect, increase in violence etc.
"Spank them all!" Says Simon.
Seriously, I think you're right that hyperactivity didn't exist until recently. I always felt that the sugar in sweets would have more impact on poor behaviour than the colours.
Not sure that spanking is the way to go though... I would have liked to see that response to the FSA's research! "It's all a load of crap, did me no harm, just give them a good spanking!"