Revised advice on artificial food coloring

In England, the Food Standards Agency revised their advice on certain food additives. This follows an evaluation of the research by the independent Committee on Toxicity (COT), carried out by Southampton University, which suggests that consumption of mixes of certain artificial food colours together with the preservative sodium benzoate could be linked to an adverse effect on children’s behaviour.

Effects on hyperactive kids

The behavior being studied was hyperactivity including ADHD. In summary the study shows that in certain kids at certain ages eating these additives may contribute to hyperactivity. We have to remember though that  hyperactive behaviour in children has many causes including genetic factors, being born prematurely, or environment and upbringing.

if a child shows signs of hyperactivity or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) then eliminating the colours used in the Southampton study from their diet might have some beneficial effects but given the multiple factors contributing to hyperactivity, there is no guarantee.

Age related effects on hyperactivity 

The results were different for the two age groups studies. For 3 year olds, Mix A showed an increase in the average level of hyperactivity while for the 8 year old group, Mix B was associated with an increase in hyperactivity.

Whether one particular additive or combination of additives are the cause is unknown. If you do wish to decrease your child's intake of these additives, the additive mixes are listed below. You can find information on these additive levels in food on the nutrition labels or ingredient lists where required by the government of that country.

The ingredient list of the mixes of artificial colours that were used in the study

Mix A replicated the food colours and preservatives used in a previous study and consisted of:

• Sunset yellow (E110)
• Tartrazine (E102)
• Carmoisine (E122)
• Ponceau 4R (E124)
• Sodium benzoate (E211)

Mix B consisted of:

• Sunset yellow (E110)
• Quinoline yellow (E104)
• Carmoisine (E122)
• Allura red (E129)
• Sodium benzoate (E211)

Sources:

Press Release from the Food Standards Agency: Advice on certain articifical colors

The study details: Chronic and acute effects of artificial colourings and preservatives on children's behaviour