Artificial Colors

Artificial Colors

Anyone who’s trying to live a more natural life, which includes avoiding artificial ingredients, is no stranger to the notion that artificial colors are not as benign as we’ve been led to believe. In the 1970s, pediatrician Benjamin Feingold first proposed the idea that synthetic dyes may cause health problems. He created a diet free of artificial food coloring and preservatives to treat hyperactivity and claimed to have had great success — but mainstream medicine and health professionals largely dismissed this hypothesis.

Not surprisingly, natural food advocates clash with food manufacturers on this issue with both sides citing support for their respective positions. Food manufacturers point to studies and reviews that support their beliefs that artificial dyes are safe; however, emerging evidence suggests that concerns over artificial colors are valid.

Read: An (Unplanned) Artificial Color Experiment

What does the research show? 

A meta-analysis published in the Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics casts doubts on the idea that food dyes are safe. Using standardized behavioral testing, artificial colors were found to be associated with increased hyperactivity in children with existing hyperactivity disorders, raising the question that these dyes may be a problem for certain groups who are more susceptible to their effects.

The Lancet published a study comparing the effects of a placebo beverage free of artificial colors with one that contained artificial colors with a common preservative used in beverages, sodium benzoate. In both age groups tested, one group aged three and the second group eight to nine, a significant increase in hyperactivity was observed.

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Who are the offenders?

The most common artificial colors permitted in food include:

  • FD&C Blue No. 1
  • FD&C Blue No. 2
  • FD&C Green No. 3
  • Orange B
  • FD&C Red. No. 3
  • FD&C Red. No. 40
  • FD&C Yellow No. 5
  • FD&C Yellow No. 6

Read more about the colors listed above

Where are artificial colors found?

The use of artificial colors has been steadily increasing over the past 60 years. It’s estimated that we ingest about five times more food coloring that our grandparents did; a daily average of about 60mg per person versus just 12mg in the mid 1950s! Artificial colors can be found pretty much anywhere there’s color. Often you’ll just see the word ‘color’ in the ingredient list without reference to the specific type of dye. The foods where they’re lurking aren’t just for kids either; adults are exposed to them everyday even if they feel they don’t pose a health concern.

Food dyes can be found in foods such as:

  • Salad dressing
  • Ice cream
  • Sport drinks
  • Candies
  • Chewing gum
  • Puddings
  • Brightly colored breakfast cereal
  • Bottled sweetened beverages
  • Popsicles
  • Flavored gelatin
  • Soft drinks
  • Jams and jellies

What can you do?

A healthy diet that is based on minimally processed, nutrient-dense whole foods is one of the best ways to avoid exposure to artificial colors. When choosing prepared foods, go for organic as much as possible, and make reading labels and ingredients lists a part of your food shopping experience. Many food companies have already switched to natural colors, most of which are safe (except for annatto, some forms of caramel, and carmine).

We want to see a warning on the label of foods containing artificial colors. Tell us what you think.

Image: Oliver Hammond

References:

Schab DW, Trinh NH. “Do artificial food colors promote hyperactivity in

children with hyperactive syndromes? A meta-analysis of double-blind

placebo-controlled trials.” J Dev Behav Pediatr. 2004 Dec;25(6):423-34.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15613992

McCann D, et al. “Food additives and hyperactive behaviour in 3-year-old

and 8/9-year-old children in the community: a randomised,

double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial.” Lancet. 2007 Nov

3;370(9598):1560-7.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=mccann%20food%20additives%20and%20hyperactive%20behaviour 

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Lisa Roth Collins, RHN
Lisa Roth Collins is a Registered Holistic Nutritionist (RHN) and is the Marketing Manager at NaturallySavvy.com. She is passionate about health and wellness and tries her best to make healthier choices every day for herself and her family. Her journey to natural health was driven by her own struggles with digestive discomfort, depression, and anxiety. Lisa returned to school in 2014 to study nutrition at the Canadian School for Natural Nutrition. She threw herself into her studies so she could learn as much as she could to help herself feel better and thrive. Upon completing the program and being certified as an RHN, Lisa began her work at Naturally Savvy where she has been able to help so many people learn to make healthier choices for themselves. Through her work, she has connected with so many incredible people in the industry whether other authors, influencers, or brands. Plus, she is affectionately known as "Techie Spice" because of her ability to wrap her head around technology. Every day she gets up with a renewed sense of energy and ready to make a difference. You can read all of Lisa's content here. In her spare time, Lisa loves to try new recipes, make delicious and nourishing meals, and she is an avid reader. For more information about Lisa, check out her profile on here.