Food Coloring Additives and Behaviour of Children

There have been some reports that certain allergies are produced by synthetic food coloring agents. Also, there is a proven effect of food dyes on children on their behavior, according to recent and no-so-recent research, especially when it comes to hyperactivity in children

In a recent research study published The Lancet, british scientists found that in a group of children (3 years old and 8-9 years-old) synthetic coloring agents resulted in a increase of hyperactivity.

However, this idea is not completely new. In fact, already in the 70s many people advocated for a diet free of food additives for children. Benjamin Feingold (a paediatrician) claimed to cure children with hyperactivity by removing food additives from their diets. More recently (2004), David Schab has proposed that food dyes causes neurobehavioral toxicity that leads to hyperactivity. In 2008, the UK has decided to ask for label foods that specify food coloring agents that may cause hyperactivity in children.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is recommending eliminating food dyes from the diets of patients with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The food industry is defending itself by saying that there are plenty of studies that show that no harm is done by consuming these dyes and that these coloring agents are included in what is known as "Generally Recognized As Safe" FDA list. However, there are plenty of studies that show the association between children who have ADHD and other problems and food dyes consumption. Just to be on the safe side it would be great to gear towards a more natural diet for our children.

Sources:

PMID: 8179235 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8179235