Dangerous Food Additives Harm Kids: Behavior Problems Linked to Food Dyes

Ever since my daughter "forgot" how to write letters after a rare bowl of Fruit Loops, I knew there was something to the claim that food additives can cause mental, emotional and physical problems in kids, and adults. Generally I steer clear of strangely colored food, but have eaten enough handfuls of candy and too-bright-for-morning breakfast cereals to know that I personally do not function well afterwards.

Evidence is clear- food additives cause problems

Bernard Weiss, Ph.D, professor of environmental medicine at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, in New York, agrees. Weiss has conducted trials on the link between behavior and food additives and says, "From the standpoint at least of acute effects produced by food color consumption, you really can't deny the evidence any more."

Not the cause of ADHD, but a contributing factor in symptoms

While too much time in front of the TV, playing video games and even sugar is often pointed to as the culprit in ADHD-like symptoms, it may be time to really consider the additives found in the foods you are feeding your children. I am not suggesting actual ADD or ADHD can be cured with a change in diet, I am saying that in many cases, food additives can aggravate hyperactivity and unfocused thinking. In my daughter's Fruit Loop experience, her dyslexic tendencies were exaggerated. Personally the frustration for both of us is not worth it to me.

Europe taking a stand against additives

The link between behavior symptoms and certain foods including dyes and preservatives, has been suspected for decades. Despite the long history of research, the United States still allows these additives in foods without as much as a warning label. Europe has taken a different stance, they have warning labels and on foods with the following artificial colorings added, Yellow No. 5, Yellow No. 10, Yellow No. 6, Red No. 3, Red No. 7 and Red No. 40. These additives "may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children," according to the European Union.

Companies cater to consumers concerns

Unfortunately it seems American consumers are less concerned about the additives. Some companies have removed the artificial colors from products sold oversea while keeping those same additives in the products sold in the states. Mars and Kraft in particular have altered their products. A Kraft spokesman said Americans are more concerned about calorie, fat and sodium content than additives.

Petition to ban food dyes

There are some watchdogs out there; the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) has petitioned the Food and Drug Administration to ban all food dyes. "There's no way to know at this point which is the problem dye. Is only one of them a problem? All of them a problem?" says Michael F. Jacobson, Ph.D, executive director of CSPI. Banning them all due to his belief that there is something to the hyperactivity concerns.

Dark side of the rainbow

The fact that candy, breakfast cereal, cookies and crackers may have many different kinds of dye and preservatives, as many as 10 in one package, make it difficult to nail down the culprit. Knowing that there is a possible link makes me reconsider popping the strangely cheerful colors in my shopping cart.

Resources:
BBC Health