#Healthwire: What’s the fuss about food dyes?

Artificial dyes have been controversial for many years. In Europe, many of these dyes were banned in 2008, after a study showed that they could cause behavioral problems in children. The U.S. FDA failed to administer a similar ban, even in the face of a massive petition from The Center For Science in the Public Interest (CSPI). CSPI also recently authored a report that outlined the adverse effects artificial food dyes can have on children’s health, as well as the lack of policy surrounding this issue and more, which you can view in full on their website.

The report indicates that eight separate analyses have demonstrated that removing food dyes from children’s diets can help correct behavioral issues. More concerning is the fact that many American children are consuming amounts of these dyes far higher amounts than what was used in these trials, which could indicate an even bigger problem. According to CSPI, many of these dyes “fail to meet the federal safety standard for color additives, which requires ‘convincing evidence that establishes with reasonable certainty that no harm will result from the intended use of the color additive.'” In 2008, the organization petitioned the FDA to ban Red 40, Yellow 5 and six other synthetic colors for this reason.

Some food dyes are produced with coal tar or petroleum and are known to be carcinogenic.  As Food Matters explains, Yellow 6 has been linked to tumors of the kidneys and adrenal glands, while Green 3 is linked to bladder cancer, and Red 3 causes thyroid tumors in rats.

Synthetic dyes are not as safe as they are purported to be — especially not in the amounts they are often consumed. CSPI President Michael F. Jacobson had said that major food companies “should be embarrassed” by what they are selling to the American people, especially while they are accommodating the EU and providing them with naturally-colored or dye-free versions of the same food.

While it is great that consumer demand is finally working and driving these big corporations to find natural alternatives to synthetic compounds and ingredients, it has taken far too long.