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! 
