Synthetic food dyes aggravate neurobehavioral abnormalities in children, such as hyperactivity. Correlations that have already emerged in the scientific literature are reaffirmed by the California Environmental Protection Agency ‘sOffice of Environmental Health Hazards Assessment (OEHHA). (1)
Synthetic food dyes, the US study
Over the past 20 years, the prevalence of U.S. children and adolescents diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder has increased from 6.1 percent to 10.2 percent. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is characterized by symptoms such as inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. Conditions that can develop into study difficulties, isolation and aggression.
In the presence of hereditary factors, the risk of developing ADHD can be amplified by exposure to various chemicals, some of which are still deliberately added to foods. Not only the so-called Southampton dyes but also others, researchers report. (2)
7 dyes under examination
II role of synthetic dyes in the manifestation of ADHD was evaluated by OEHHA-the California Environmental Public Health Hazard Assessment Agency-in a substantial meta-analysis. 311 pages of scientific review of animal studies and 27 human clinical studies focused on neurobehavioral effects in children and puppies exposed to seven synthetic food dyes.
The review covers 7 of the 9 synthetic dyes cleared by the U.S.Food and Drug Administration (FDA), listed below by name, common synonym and European clearance abbreviation. In fact, such additives are also present in foods marketed in the European Union (see penultimate paragraph):
– Blue 1, Brilliant Blue, E133,
– Blue 2, Indigo Carmine, Indigotine, E132,
– Green 3, green 3, E143,
– Red 3, red 3, Erythrosine, E127
– Red 40, Allura Red(Allura Red), E129,
– Yellow 5, yellow 5, tartrazine or tartrazine yellow, E102,
– Yellow 6, orange yellow orSunset Yellow, E110.
USA, Citrus Red to color Florida’s oranges.
The two synthetic dyes excluded from the evaluation are.
– theOrange B, no longer produced in the United States because of its contamination with the carcinogenic 2-naphthylamine,
– Citrus Red No. 2, approved only for coloring the peels of Florida oranges. Absurd, but true.
Scientific meta-analysis, the conclusions
The scientific meta-analysis also investigates the mechanisms of action of synthetic dyes. To conclude that ‘the current literature provides a considerable amount of evidence that consumption of synthetic food dyes is associated with negative neurobehavioral outcomes in children .
We also found a fairly large body of evidence that sensitivity to synthetic food dyes varies greatly from person to person and that some children are likely to be more adversely affected by synthetic food dyes than others‘.
In light of the analyzed studies, the researchers conclude that ‘the current ADIs [acceptable daily intakes established by the FDA between the 1960s and 1980s, ed.] may not provide adequate protection from neurobehavioral impacts in children. For some of the dyes (…) the safe exposure levels today would be much lower’.
Appeal of science to the Food & Drug Administration (FDA).
The widespread use of synthetic dyes in the foods most commonly consumed by U.S. children (cereals, ‘fruit’ snacks, soft drinks, powdered beverage mixes, popsicles, ice cream cones, etc.) and the scientific evidence call for FDA action, comments Marion Nestle, a U.S. academic on the front lines against junk food.
Food dyes, recalls Marion Nestle, ”have only one purpose, to sell ultra-processed food (junk food). Research shows that brightly colored candies, snacks and soft drinks are perceived to taste better than their ‘gray’ alternatives. The food industry needs cosmetic food coloring. Let’s reject them, especially if they are harmful‘. (3)
Synthetic dyes also on our shelves
In Italy, the prevalence of synthetic dyes in food seems less pervasive. According to our research, the 7 substances under review have already been eliminated from the most popular corn-flakes and sugary drinks. And yet they linger on shelves and displays at checkouts. Some examples.
Bue Brilliant (E133) is still found in candies and chewing gum (Frisk, Goliath, Vigorsol, M&Ms), Campari Bitter, and Turchetto mint syrup.
Blue 2(Indigo Carmine, Indigotine, E 132), is added in Galeffi’s granular ‘digestif’. As well as in various candies, such as Goliath Activ Plus or Monk’s Light Mentho Eucalyptus.
Red 40 (E 129, Allura Red or Allura Red) is in the Breezer Ruby Grapefruit and Bacardi Breezer Peach alcoholpops.
Tartrazine yellow(Yellow 5 or E102) is added to Campari Bitter and even in Limoncello Pallini.
Yellow Orange( Yellow 6o Sunset Yellow, Sunset Yellow, E110) is present in Ginger San Benedetto as in Aperol.
Interim conclusions, emerging risk
The emerging chemical safety risk reported in the California State Environmental Public Health Risk Assessment Agency (US) study needs to be considered immediately by the European Commission and the health administrations of EU member states. To request an update of the risk assessment on the 9 mentioned food additives and take appropriate safeguard measures in the meantime, applying the precautionary principle.
Food business operators should also consider this emerging risk, remembering that mere compliance with legal requirements does not exclude the riskiness of food and it is their specific responsibility to eliminate it (4,5). All the more so on food products intended for children and adolescents, given their greater vulnerability and exposure.
Marta Strinati and Dario Dongo
Cover image. Hyperactivity. Madness. 7/28/15, https://www.hyperactivity.rocks/portfolio/madness/
Notes
(1) OEHAA. Potential Neurobehavioral Effects of Synthetic Food Dyes in Children. April 2021 https://oehha.ca.gov/media/downloads/risk-assessment/report/healthefftsassess041621.pdf
(2) See footnote 1 to previous article by Dario Dongo. ‘Free from’ and ‘Clean label’, the necessary turning point. GIFT (Great Italian Food Trade). 3/14/19, https://www.greatitalianfoodtrade.it/idee/free-from-e-clean-label-la-svolta-necessaria
(3) Marion Nestle. The FDA needs to take action on food dyes. Food Politics. 18.5.21, https://www.foodpolitics.com/2021/05/the-fda-needs-to-take-action-on-food-dyes/
(4) Reg. EC 178/02, Article 14. For further study, please refer to Dario Dongo’sebook ‘Food Safety, Mandatory Rules and Voluntary Standards ‘ https://www.greatitalianfoodtrade.it/libri/sicurezza-alimentare-regole-cogenti-e-norme-volontarie-il-nuovo-libro-di-dario-dongo
(5) Giulia Torre, Dario Dongo. Food safety, ABC operator responsibilities. GIFT(Great Italian Food Trade). 6.4.18, https://www.greatitalianfoodtrade.it/salute/sicurezza-alimentare-abc-responsabilità-operatori
Professional journalist since January 1995, he has worked for newspapers (Il Messaggero, Paese Sera, La Stampa) and periodicals (NumeroUno, Il Salvagente). She is the author of journalistic surveys on food, she has published the book "Reading labels to know what we eat".
Dario Dongo, lawyer and journalist, PhD in international food law, founder of WIISE (FARE - GIFT - Food Times) and Égalité.
.){kind=link}