David Baxter PhD
Late Founder
No Link Between Food Dyes and Behavioral Problems, Says FDA Panel
Emma Hitt, PhD
April 1, 2011
Committee Votes Against Warning Labels About Artificial Food Dyes
A US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Food Advisory Committee voted 8 to 6 against adding warning labels stating that artificial food dyes may affect the behavior of some hyperactive children this week.
In 2008, the FDA was petitioned by the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) to ban 8 (yellow 5 and 7 other synthetic food dyes) of the 9 color additives that are currently approved for use in food in the United States. The CSPI contended that these additives might exacerbate some behavioral problems in children, citing a 2007 study from the University of Southampton published in The Lancet.
In response, the FDA conducted a literature review, which found that certain susceptible children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and other problem behaviors may have conditions that are exacerbated by exposure to a number of substances in food. These substances include but are not limited to artificial food colors.
The effects of these substances on children's behavior appear to be due to a unique intolerance to the substances and not to any inherent neurotoxic properties. The cause of this intolerance is unclear, but it has been suggested that it may result from genetic or epigenetic factors.
The CSPI has requested that a warning label be placed on foods containing the dyes. They also asked the FDA to correct its advice to consumers from the year 1993 about the risks of food dyes to children with behavioral problems and to require neurotoxicity tests when industry seeks approval for any new color or food additives.
Not Worth the Risk
"The evidence that these petrochemicals worsen some children's behavior is convincing, and I hope that the FDA's advisory committee will advise the agency to both require warning notices and encourage companies voluntarily to switch to safer natural colorings," noted CSPI Executive Director Michael F. Jacobson in a written release.
"Having brightly colored Froot Loops, Skittles, Mountain Dews, or pickles or anything else just isn't worth putting any children at risk," he added.
In its request, the CSPI stated that eliminating dyes from the food supply was expected to yield a direct health benefit that does not bring any health risk. They also stated that the British Food Standards Agency has asked food manufacturers to voluntarily stop using the artificial dyes.
The CSPI stated that the quantities of dyes being certified for use has steadily increased, such that the amounts now consumed are more than what most safety studies used.
The FDA is not required to follow the advice of its advisory panel, but it usually does. The FDA will consider these recommendations while updating regulations involving products containing artificial dyes.
Emma Hitt, PhD
April 1, 2011
Committee Votes Against Warning Labels About Artificial Food Dyes
A US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Food Advisory Committee voted 8 to 6 against adding warning labels stating that artificial food dyes may affect the behavior of some hyperactive children this week.
In 2008, the FDA was petitioned by the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) to ban 8 (yellow 5 and 7 other synthetic food dyes) of the 9 color additives that are currently approved for use in food in the United States. The CSPI contended that these additives might exacerbate some behavioral problems in children, citing a 2007 study from the University of Southampton published in The Lancet.
In response, the FDA conducted a literature review, which found that certain susceptible children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and other problem behaviors may have conditions that are exacerbated by exposure to a number of substances in food. These substances include but are not limited to artificial food colors.
The effects of these substances on children's behavior appear to be due to a unique intolerance to the substances and not to any inherent neurotoxic properties. The cause of this intolerance is unclear, but it has been suggested that it may result from genetic or epigenetic factors.
The CSPI has requested that a warning label be placed on foods containing the dyes. They also asked the FDA to correct its advice to consumers from the year 1993 about the risks of food dyes to children with behavioral problems and to require neurotoxicity tests when industry seeks approval for any new color or food additives.
Not Worth the Risk
"The evidence that these petrochemicals worsen some children's behavior is convincing, and I hope that the FDA's advisory committee will advise the agency to both require warning notices and encourage companies voluntarily to switch to safer natural colorings," noted CSPI Executive Director Michael F. Jacobson in a written release.
"Having brightly colored Froot Loops, Skittles, Mountain Dews, or pickles or anything else just isn't worth putting any children at risk," he added.
In its request, the CSPI stated that eliminating dyes from the food supply was expected to yield a direct health benefit that does not bring any health risk. They also stated that the British Food Standards Agency has asked food manufacturers to voluntarily stop using the artificial dyes.
The CSPI stated that the quantities of dyes being certified for use has steadily increased, such that the amounts now consumed are more than what most safety studies used.
The FDA is not required to follow the advice of its advisory panel, but it usually does. The FDA will consider these recommendations while updating regulations involving products containing artificial dyes.
