Last updated on September 15th, 2022 at 06:01 pm
The FDA has deemed food dyes safe for consumption. But many Americans are becoming increasingly concerned about the safety of food dyes.
First, it is important to understand what food dyes are. Food dyes are chemicals synthesized from Petroleum. Sounds yummy, right? Further, they are banned in most countries, including the EU.
Many parents are wondering if food dye is hurting their child’s behavior. And its not just children. Adults have also come forward stating an increase in aggressive behavior after consuming certain food dyes.
Behavioral issues are not the only side effect caused by food dyes. People have reported symptoms ranging from gut issues, joint pain, and migraines.
The resources below are intended to give you easy access to scientific studies regarding artificial food colors.
There are four main sections with information about artificial food dyes, including:
- General overview of food dyes and reasons for concern
- Neurological health, food dyes and behavior, and hyperactivity
- Gut health
- Marketing
Can Food Coloring Cause Health Problems?
If food dyes have recently become a concern, I encourage you to read Food Dyes A Rainbow of Risks. I’ve also included a link to a short Ted Talk where a mother walks you through her sons journey with food dyes.
- Food Dyes A Rainbow of Risks (pdf) from Center for Science in the Public Interest.
- Ted Talk about food dyes and the effects on children. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQzOHAwCfXs
Food Dyes and Behavior
This includes neurological health, like hyperactivity.
- Artificial Food Colors and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Symptoms: Conclusions to Dye for. Source; National Library of Medicine
- Do Artificial Food Colors Cause ADHA Symptoms? Source; CHADD Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
- Health Effects Assessment: Potential Neurobehavioral Effects of Synthetic Food Dyes in Children. Source; OEHHA California Office Of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment also here is the PDF version
- The effects of a double-blind, placebo-controlled, artificial food colorings and benzoate preservative challenge on hyperactivity in a general population sample of preschool children. Source; National Library of Medicine
- Food additives and hyperactive behavior in 3-year-old and 8/9-year-old children in the community: a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial. Source; National Library of Medicine
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Food Dyes and Gut Health.
Gut health can affect every aspect of our overall health, including emotional well-being, for instance, food dyes and behavior.
- Food colorants metabolized by commensal bacteria promote colitis in mice with dysregulated expression of interleukin-23. Source; Cell Metabolism
Marketing Techniques Targeting Children
- Prevalence of Artificial Food Colors in Grocery Store Products Marketed to Children. Source; Sage Journals
- Mars Fails On Its Commitment To Remove Food Dyes From American Products. Source; Center for Science in the Public Interest.
I will be adding more links over time. Please contact me if you know of a study that should be added to the list.
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