ADHD and Cancer Linked to Food Dyes

(Updated 2015)

“FDA examines links between food dyes and hyperactivity in children.”  The Associated Press.

Ok, so here we go again.  Are food dyes safe or are they not? Well, the natural and alternative health advocates have long known that these artificial (synthetic) food additives have a negative effect on human health.

The need to use unnatural substances to give the appearance of something natural is a strange concept indeed.  In the USA, there are seven artificial colorings that are permitted. They are:

• FD&C Blue No. 1 – Brilliant Blue FCF, E133 (blue shade)
• FD&C Blue No. 2 – Indigotine, E132 (indigo shade)
• FD&C Green No. 3 – Fast Green FCF, E143 (turquoise shade)
• FD&C Red No. 40 – Allura Red AC, E129 (red shade)**
• FD&C Red No. 3 – Erythrosine, E127 (pink shade, commonly used in glacé cherries)
• FD&C Yellow No. 5 – Tartrazine, E102 (yellow shade)**
• FD&C Yellow No. 6 – Sunset Yellow FCF, E110 (orange shade)**

In recent years additional artificial colorings, including FD&C Red No. 2, FD&C Red No. 4 and FD&C Red No. 32‎,  have been taken off of the permitted list and are now banned for use due to ill effects on health.

Currently, although some links have been made to increased hyperactivity and food additives, the FDA continues to drag their feet by maintaining their stance that the results of such findings are inconclusive.

The FDA is Confused!

Statements made by the FDA are a bit confusing. Not that long ago the Administration released the following statement:

“FDA officials recommend stronger warnings for ADHD drugs”

Kate Gelperin, a drug-safety expert at the Food and Drug Administration, told members of the agency’s Pediatric Advisory Committee in a daylong meeting:

“We recommend that these issues be addressed.”

She said regulators were struck by a surprising number of cases reporting

“hallucinations, both visual and tactile, involving insects, snakes and worms”

characterizing the tales as

“particularly traumatic and undesirable”.

ADHD and Cancer Linked to Food Dyes in Europe

Interestingly, five of the allowed colors in the USA were linked to ADHD, cancer and other health conditions in Europe. The link was made in a study done by Southampton University which found that these dyes do cause elementary school-aged children to become distracted and fail computer attention tests.

In the USA, the five commonly used synthetic dyes are:

**Tartrazine (also known as E number E102, C.I. 19140, or FD&C Yellow 5).

This dye is commonly found in confectionery, cotton candy, soft drinks (Mountain Dew), energy drinks, instant puddings, flavored corn chips (Doritos, Nachos, etc), cereals (corn flakes, muesli, etc.), cake mixes, pastries, custard powder, yellow popcorn, soups (particularly instant or “cube” soups), sauces, some rices (like paella, risotto, etc.), powdered drink mixes, sports drinks, ice cream, ice pops, candy, Peeps marshmallow treats chewing gum, marzipan, jam, jelly, gelatins, marmalade, mustard, horseradish, yogurt, noodles such as Kraft Dinner, pickles, and other pickled products, certain brands of fruit squash, fruit cordial, potato chips, Biscuits, many convenience foods, and glycerin, lemon and honey products.

Known adverse health effects: hyperactivity, chromosomal damage, and linked to allergic reactions and migraine headaches.

——————————-

**Sunset Yellow (also known as Orange Yellow S, FD&C Yellow 6 or C.I. 15985)

Sunset Yellow is often found in orange sodas, orange jelly, marzipan, Swiss rolls, apricot jam, citrus marmalade, lemon curd, sweets, hot chocolate mix and packet soups, trifle mix, breadcrumbs, snack chips, shelf fresh noodles, cheese sauce mixes as well as chocolates such as Cadbury Creme Egg.

Known adverse health effects:  hyperactivity, cancer, and linked to stomach upsets and swelling of the skin.

—————————–

**Allura red (also known as Food Red 17, C.I. 16035, FD&C Red 40,  E129)

Often found in soft drinks, candy, children’s medications, cereal, beverages, snacks, gelatin desserts, baked goods, ice cream.

Known adverse health effects:  hyperactivity, cancer, and linked to allergic reactions.

—————————–

**FD&C Blue No. 2 – Indigotine, E132 (indigo shade)

It can be found in soft drinks, bakery products, cereals, candy, drink powders, mint-flavored jelly, frozen desserts, and pet foods.  Also used in kidney tests and for testing milk.

Known adverse health effects:  hyperactivity, asthma, heart issues, and linked to allergic reactions.

—————————–

**FD&C Blue No. 1 – Brilliant Blue FCF, E133 (blue shade)

It can be found in soft drinks, gelatin desserts, ice cream, drink powders, candy, bakery products, cereals, feta cheese, dairy products, and pudding. Also used in toothpaste, mouthwash, deodorants, cosmetics, and pet foods.

Known adverse health effects: low blood pressure, asthma, hives,  and linked to allergic reactions. 

Caution: Do not consume if sensitive to aspirin.

In 2003 the FDA sent out a safety warning concerning the use of Blue No. 1 in a medical procedure:

“There were several reports of toxicity, including death, temporally associated with the use of FD & C Blue No. 1 (Blue 1) in enteral feeding solutions. The dye was used to help detection and/or monitoring of pulmonary aspiration in patients being fed by an enteral feeding tube. Reported episodes were manifested by blue discolouration of the skin, urine, feces or serum and were associated with serious complications such as refractory hypotension, metabolic acidosis and death. Seriously ill patients, particularly those with a likely increase in gut permeability, may be at greater risk.”

Why do we Need Food Dyes Anyway?

And why exactly do we need these dyes in our food? For no other reason than to add a specific desired color!!

So, with estimated users of ADHD drugs in the multi-millions, including both children and adults, shouldn’t we be asking what is causing this behavior rather than simply administering dangerous drugs?

Isn’t it logical that an artificial substance such as food coloring, along with preservatives, processing, and ridiculously high amounts of sugar (not to mention high corn fructose in practically every product sold) could have a negative effect on our health?

Thank-goodness research is now showing links to what some of you have known all along.

That unprocessed natural and organic whole foods free of preservatives, additives, and chemicals are the only foods we should be eating in order to be healthy and to live a long energetic life!

And no research is required to come to this conclusion…only common sense!

Resources: 

• Artificial Colors In Food: Is FDA Certification Enough?
• Food coloring: Purpose of food coloring
• FDA and Food Dyes
• Banned in Europe, Food Coloring Linked to Behavior Problems
• Food Dyes Suspected Of Causing Behavioral Problems In Kids
• Kraft under pressure over ‘cancer-causing’ yellow food coloring in Macaroni & Cheese after 41,000 sign petition to ban additive

Related Articles:

• Vitamin B15 “Unsafe Food Additive”?
• Antipsychotics for ADHD?
• Why is Trisodium Phosphate in Our Food?