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Food Dye -- Red-40 Q: Several weeks ago, my four-year-old grandson began acting strangely -- irritable, having tantrums, belligerent with playmates -- quite unlike his usual playful, happy self. There were no environmental precipitants that we could identify. His parents are together; his mother stays home to care for the children; he had suffered no traumas, such as illness, injury or death in the family. Nothing had changed, or so we thought. Then one afternoon, shortly after eating a fruit roll-up, he developed hives and facial swelling. Clearly, he was allergic to something in this snack food, so we discussed possibilities with the doctor. The doctor had read about isolated cases of allergies to food additives and dyes, so we checked labels on other foods he had been eating recently and discovered a common ingredient: Red-40, a food dye present in many foods, drinks and even some children's vitamins. Ever since my grandson's parents eliminated all foods containing Red-40 from his diet, he has been totally fine. No more tantrums, belligerence or irritability at the levels we had been seeing before (every four-year-old gets ornery once in awhile). No more allergic reactions so far either. What do you know about these food dyes? Are they toxic to children? A: I do not know the answer to your questions, but they have certainly piqued my curiosity! Here is some of the information I found on the Internet: First of all, I found several similar anecdotal accounts about negative reactions to Red-40 or other color additives to foods. For example, one mother reported an important discovery she made regarding her daughter's constant behavior problems since 18 months of age. By the time her daughter was five she had been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Oppositional Defiant Disorder nad Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. She was taking medications for all of these conditions. By chance, this mother spoke with a homeopathic physician who recommended that the parents stop all Red-40 food dye from their daughter's diet. They found it in pop tarts, most over-the-counter medication, Doritos, breakfast cereals, candy and many more foods and drinks. As soon as they stopped their daughter's consumption of Red-40, this mother reported, ALL of the child's problems went away. They say that she is now a happy, sweet, obedient and smart little girl with no significant behavioral problems. The mother said, "This discovery has been nothing short of miraculous for us." In another example, a father reported that his son, between 18 months and 3 years of age, had a terrible time falling asleep and slept fitfully. Someone at the child's preschool suggested he eliminate Red-40 and Yellow-5 food dyes from the boy's diet. The differences were nearly instantaneous. Not only does his son fall asleep readily and sleep soundly, but he also has a calmer disposition and better attitude during the day. The improvements have persisted; his son was eight years old when the father recounted this history. In a third example, a father described his son's asthma during the first five years of life. His symptoms were not seasonal, exercise-induced or predictable. His attacks were severe and included vomiting, which the father was told was normal for asthma. The boy was treated with inhalers, an at-home nebulizer (breathing treatments) and several different medications. There were also hospitalizations for severe attacks. The parents, at their wit's end, read an article about the possible effects of artificial food coloring on some children. They decided to try an experiment. They eliminated all food dyes from their son's diet. Not only did his health improve dramatically, they report, but so did his disposition. Twenty-two months have passed since they began their "experiment," and their son has not had a single asthma attack. The parents hasten to add that they do not think all cases of asthma are related to food dyes, and they are certainly prepared to continue their son's medical treatments if his asthma returns. Note from Beth Bruno: I have not met these parents personally, so I know nothing about their circumstances other than what they have reported online. Please discuss your child's care with your pediatrician or other health care provider. The following excerpts are taken from a brochure entitled, "Food Color Facts," published in 1993 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). "Early civilizations such as the Romans recognized that people "eat with their eyes" as well as their palates. Saffron and other spices were often used to provide a rich yellow color to various foods. Butter has been colored yellow as far back as the 1300s. "Today all food color additives are carefully regulated by federal authorities to ensure that foods are safe to eat and accurately labeled. This brochure provides helpful background information about color additives, why they are used in foods and regulations governing their safe use in the food supply. "Certifiable color additives are manmade, with each batch being tested by manufacturer and FDA. This approval process, known as color additive certification, assures the safety, quality, consistency and strength of the color additive prior to its use in foods. "There are nine certified colors approved for use in food in the United States. They are: Blue#1, Blue#2, Green#3, Red#40, Red#3, Yellow#5, Yellow#6, Orange B and Citrus Red#2. The last two (Orange B and Citrus Red#2 are restricted to specific uses.) "Some color additives are exempt from certification, including pigment derived from natural sources such as vegetables, minerals or animals, and man-made counterparts of natural derivatives. For example, caramel color is produced commercially by heating sugar and other carbohydrates under strictly controlled conditions for use in sauces, gravies, soft drinks, baked goods and other foods. "Both types of color additives, certifiable or exempt, are subject to rigorous standards of safety prior to their approval for use in foods. "The Federal Food, Drug & Cosmetic Act of 1938 made food color additive certification mandatory. ... In 1960, The Color Additive Amendments to the 1938 Act placed color additives on a "provisional" list and required further testing using up-to-date procedures. One section of the amendment prohibits adding to any food (any) substance that has been shown to cause cancer in animals or man regardless of the dose. "According to the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act of 1990, a certifiable color additive used in food must be listed in the ingredient statement by its common or usual name. All labels printed after July 1, 1991 must comply with this requirement. "... Yellow#5 may cause hives in fewer than one out of 10,000 people. There is no evidence the color additive Yellow#5 in goods provokes asthma attacks nor that aspirin-intolerant individuals may have a cross-sensitivity to the color. "The theory that 'food additives cause hyperactivity' was popularized in the 1970s. Well-controlled studies conducted since then have produced no evidence that food color additives cause hyperactivity or learning disabilities in children. ... elimination diets should not be used universally to treat hyperactivity, since there is no scientific evidence to predict which children may benefit." Note from Beth Bruno: This information above is intended to
raise questions for your consideration. I trust that the FDA
is continuously monitoring and testing food coloring and other
food additives for their safety to humans. Please discuss your
questions and findings about these or other subjects of relevance
to your health or the health of your children with the appropriate
medical professionals. Minerals are essential to life itself!   |
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