Submitted by: Cynthia McMurray(1,295) Cynthia McMurray Write Words Log in to become a member of Cynthia McMurray's Fan Club!
As humans, we naturally respond to color. In fact many studies show certain colors are linked to specific emotions and behaviors. We also associate color with particular foods - when someone says carrot, we automatically think orange. So, it makes perfect sense why manufacturers would add color to the growing number of processed foods, candies and drinks that line our supermarket shelves. Why not? They simply look better. Color adds appeal and if it looks good, it must taste good… at least that is the prevailing wisdom.
While the justification for adding food additives such as colors to our foods may appear completely logical, unfortunately according to numerous studies, the ramifications of adding these chemicals can be quite severe in many cases. And although there are many safe and effective natural food dyes derived from plants (beets for example), they tend to be less cost effective, so we typically end up eating an array of cheaper chemical additives only a chemist could pronounce.
With the growing concern and increased public awareness of such things as cancer, many studies have now been done on the carcinogenic effects of several food dyes. As a result, after researchers showed that FD & C Red No. 2 dye causes birth defects, stillbirths, fetal deaths, sterility in rats and cancer in animals, it was removed from general use. As well, in September 2003, Health Canada issued a warning about the use of FD & C Blue No. 1 (called Brilliant Blue FCF) in enteral feeding solutions (used in feeding tubes), stating the use of this additive can cause complications "such as refractory hypotension, metabolic acidosis and death". This same report states "Brilliant Blue FCF dye is used in a number of food products", although it is currently only banned in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Norway, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.
While these studies into the physical toxicology of these dyes is definitely a step in the right direction, researchers are only beginning to seriously look at the effects these agents have on behavior, more specifically the behavior in children.
Because the majority of foods containing food dyes and chemical additives are marketed to children, more and more doctors and health professionals are starting to recognize the link between foods additives and such things as hyperactivity and learning disabilities. This is by no means new information however. In fact the case against synthetic food dyes made headlines back in the 70s when a San Francisco allergist, Dr. Ben Feingold, reported his patient's disrupting behaviors improved when their diets were changed. Through a series of double-blind studies, Dr. Feingold was able to conclude food additives, especially food dyes, as well as salicylates, which are chemicals that occur naturally in most fruits, caused ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) like behaviors.
Despite growing evidence, the scientific community and consumers groups continue to debate the issue, governing agencies such as the FDA and Health Canada, continue to allow manufacturers to add chemicals to our foods and kids continue to exhibit disruptive and in some cases even adverse neurological behaviors. But the tide may have turned according to researchers of a highly controlled study published in The Lancet in November 2007. The study clearly states "artificial colors or a sodium benzoate preservative (or both) in the diet result in increased hyperactivity in 3-year-old and 8/9-year-old children in the general population".
In April of this year, the British magazine The Independent also published a study conducted by researchers at England's Southampton University who compared the damages caused by E-number dyes to children's brains to that caused by lead in gasoline.
The results of these studies has prompted the British Food Standards Agency (the equivalent to Health Canada) to issue an immediate warning, stating parents should limit their children's intake of additives if they see any behavioral effects. To date, the FDA and Health Canada have not yet followed suit despite overwhelming evidence showing the worst behavioral responses are seen in young children.
Some of the additives tested include:
Sodium benzoate (E211), a preservative used to extend shelf-life of food and drinks
Sunset yellow (E110), a dye used in yogurts and sweets
Quinoline yellow (E104), a yellow dye used in soft drinks, cosmetics and medications.
Carmoisine (E122), a coal tar derivative used in sweets and yogurts
Tartrazine (E102), a yellow food dye used in ice cream, soft drinks and fish sticks
Ponceau 4R (E124), a red dye used in canned fruit and candy
Allura red AC (E129), a dye used in soft drinks and bubble gum
Following the publication of these studies, a U.S.-based advocacy group called the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CPSI), which also has a branch in Canada, petitioned the FDA to phase out several artificial food dyes it says pose a serious health risk to children. Included in the list are tartrazine, allura red, blue 1 (brilliant blue), blue 2 (indigotine), green 3 (fast green), red 3 (erythrosine), yellow 6 (sunset yellow) and orange B. Currently, all of these dyes, apart from orange B, are used in Canada despite the fact many are made from coal tar, a substance positively linked to numerous health problems in past scientific studies. Even worse, in Canada, companies are currently not required to list which dyes they use in their products, they must only indicate the product contains "colors."
In today's world it can be virtually impossible to avoid all chemical additives. Even most medications are known to contain dyes, many of which are banned for use in food. As a parent, it can often seem overwhelming, especially when our kids want "what everyone else is eating". The best we can often do is to avoid processed foods and soft drinks as much as possible. By feeding our children a wholesome diet of fresh fruits and vegetables and whenever possible, free-range meats, we can limit their exposure to many of the commonly used additives. While it is inevitable that our kids will have fast food, candy and other treats now and then, as always, moderation is the key.
Cynthia McMurray is a freelance natural health writer. She has written numerous books for leading health professionals and was the founder and publisher of a national natural health magazine. She is currently writing in-depth health manuals for a large international health and wellness company.
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