Are We Still Talking About Food Dyes?

Last week, the FDA convened a panel of scientists to determine whether artificial food dyes are harmful to children. The panelists agreed 8 to 6 that no warning label is needed to because dyes are safe enough. Yes, they may cause hyperactivity in children who already suffer from behavior problems, but the dyes are fine for children without behavior problems. In the past, the FDA has ruled that some dyes are harmful, including Orange No. 1 (sounds tasty, right?) and most recently, Red No. 2. So why are we still talking about this?

There have been studies as recently as 2007 that indicate that the dyes do cause hyperactivity in typical children. Officials in Europe have restricted the use of dyes. In June 2010, the Center for Science in the Public Interest issued a report on the safety risks of food dyes. Studies found health risks for a variety of blue, green, red and yellow dyes. In addition to candy colors, dyes are also used to brighten the colors of the foods that are sold, including the skins of oranges. If you remove the dye from some packaged products, you may find that the filling isn't as strawberry as you first thought. The dyes just fuel the controversy that processed food aren't the best for you.
To date, there have been no question about the safety of natural food dyes including caramel coloring, Annatto (E160b) and chlorophyll (E140).

Who's right?

With all the controversy, it is hard to say who is right. Some parents insist that removing food dyes and other artificial has improved their child's behavior. There exists studies that say that food dyes are harmful, while you can find others that are inconclusive, or say the food dyes have no effect on children's behavior. A doctor quoted in the New York Times called the idea that food dyes are harmful to children an "urban legend". On the other hand, the role of the FDA is to protect the public against health risks in food and drugs, so if they've convened a panel, wouldn't the panel be reliable?

Had the panel decided otherwise, that food dyes are unsafe, this wouldn't be the first time that they amended a decision. In 2005, the FDA mandated that drug companies carry a warning on COX-2 inhibitors like Celebrex. Furthermore, while the FDA is an independent organization, even they come under assault from well-paid lobbyists.

Who needs artificial colors?

Nobody that's who. As the controversy rages on, there is a movement for local and organic food that eliminates artificial dyes from the diet completely. There are an assortment of food products now being marketing with no artificial flavors or dyes.

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