Poison? FDA reviews artificial food dyes

Flickr/VioletInk
Artificial food dyes -- pick your poison.

The Food and Drug Administration convened a panel of experts this week to examine evidence of ill effects of artificial food dyes and decide whether a change in policy is needed, including the addition of warning labels on packaged foods that contain certain dyes.

The FDA is finally paying attention to what some mothers have known for years.  You know I'm against dangerous foods and additives like corn syrup and artificial food coloring, and have often recommended using organic food coloring.

In Europe, foods using dyes believed to be dangerous for some must be labeled "may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children," just like we label cigarettes here. This mandate from the European Parliament has even prompted many food manufacturers, including Kellogg's and Mars, to switch to natural dyes made from fruits and vegetables. So why aren't they willing to do that here?

Researchers from the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), petitioned the FDA to convene a panel on food dyes in 2008, and the FDA might finally pay attention. "There is convincing evidence that food dyes impair the behavior of some children," said Michael Jacobson, head of the consumer group and a participant of the FDA's panel hearing.

For a listing of foods with the food colorings they contain, click to the IATP Food Coloring Database.  It's HUGE, and yes, most of the big brands are listed there, because America's favorite products use artificial food color like it was water.

***********************

Giveaway

The Fearless Baker by Emily Luchetti and Lisa Weiss

Click to go to giveaway post

***********************