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Why should I be concerned about food coloring?
A: Studies have linked artificial food dyes to:
Hyperactivity, including ADHD.
Behavioral changes like irritability and depression.
Hives and asthma.
Tumor growth (three of the primary food dyes contain benzene, a known cancer-causing substance).
Q: Are there studies that say synthetic food dyes are dangerous?
A: The results are mixed. Some studies show a link between dyes and increased ADHD or hyperactivity in children. An Australian study found 75% of parents noticed an improvement in behavior and attention once the dyes were eliminated.
Researchers also found tumor growth in animals that consumed high doses of food dyes, though it can be hard to translate what this means for kids. Some studies say the small amount of benzene in the dyes can’t possibly pose a high risk.
Currently, the U.S. doesn’t ban any artificial food dyes. (Red Dye #3 was under a partial ban for a short time in 1990). But some countries say there’s enough evidence to justify banning them.
Q: How common are food dyes?
A: Food dyes are everywhere: in taffy, frosting, macaroni and cheese, sports drinks and breakfast cereal. Even some types of bread have food coloring. The list goes on and on.