Only The Fools Dye (Their) Young: UK Considers Banning Food Colorants As ADHD Cause

How common are foods without artificial colourings in the USA? They're common in the UK, not just on "organic" food, but on "normal" food too. A drink container generally says "No artificial colourings or flavourings" on the side, and usually in large-ish type.

I'm interested, because if you have those labels too then it shows there's customer demand for them -- and here at least, "No artificial colourings" is a selling point.

Come on, Treehugger.com! If you are going to bash America, at least do so on firm ground. This is trash.

Lots of problems with the hooplah you wrote:

"A prestigious British medical journal recommended that doctors use dye-free diets as a first-line treatment for some behavior disorders; British regulators are pressuring companies to stop using the dyes, and some are complying. "

1. What is this so-called "prestigious British Medical Journal." if it was so prestigious, then why wasn't it named. Could it be amongst the ranks of the Daily Sun or National Inquirer?

2. If this is so alarming, why doesn't the Treehugger article talk about research findings...instead of recommendations made by some unknown journal? Are there only flamboyant architects and fashion experts working for Treehugger.com and no scientists?

3. What agency do these "British Regulators" represent?

4. If there is that much evidence for these findings, then why are these "British Regulators" simply pressuring companies, and not actually writing laws, rules, and regulations disallowing this product's use?

And finally...(drum roll please)... the last time America paid any attention to British regulators was in 1776 when we kicked them out with their tails between their legs. Why would we start now?

John,

So, the question begs: Why don't you get packing?

Yes - America has it's problems, but Europe is not full of solutions. Are you really from Philly, or are you a transplanted UK citizen?

Brian

Until the FDA actually starts giving a crap about what the PEOPLE of the US wants, rather than pandering to corporations, it will never change. Look at the GMOs, the hormones in milk, mad cow testing (if we ignore it then it goes away), and all the artificial crap in processed foods. It's time they started caring about peoples HEALTH rather than the governments pocket book!

Why does it feel like so many "righty's" read this blog?
I am all for skepticism and not swallowing everything, but COME ON!!! Go read Republican's Digest or something!
I have often had the thought, "Jeeeez!! Who do you work for?!?!" when reading some of the responses from people.

And to the Anonymous coward and Brian as well, If you're not pissed, then you haven't been paying good enough attention!! If you haven't figured out in those tiny brains of yours that corporate America is REALLY who runs this country, well, all I can say is go vote for John McCain at the polls this year because you are LIVING A LIE.

And another thing, Anonymous, go read the article the Treehugger author linked before going on some rant about how his article is incomplete! I guess your perspective is such that you didn't realize he was prefacing the original article. I am omitting some uncivil comments I am thinking about you just so this will get passed the filters, but know that they are there.

dumb dumb.

thanks for this blog

I have/had ADD... I wonder if there is a correlation?

I was extremely allergic to red #40 food coloring as a child. I have since outgrown the allergy.

You wouldn't believe all the stuff that has food coloring in it that doesn't need it. Canned rolls for example!

I have/had ADD... I wonder if there is a correlation?

I was extremely allergic to red #40 food coloring as a child. I have since outgrown the allergy.

You wouldn't believe all the stuff that has food coloring in it that doesn't need it. Canned rolls for example!

The science on additives and ADHD is not settled. This is good as it sets up a control group for an additive-free group of otherwise similar populations. In 10 years, we should have a large body of objective evidence that will support or refute any link between artificial food dyes and ADHD and other behavioral disorders.

To "Anonymous" above: those were my first reactions too, but TreeHugger was quoting the Baltimore Sun, which if you click through you can see was referring to this study in the Lancet, which does indeed deserve the title "prestigious British Medical Journal," though the Baltimore Sun's reporting is pretty questionable: the Lancet didn't make that recommendation; a study in the Lancet did. As far as I can tell, this is legit science, in spite of those reporting on it.

That said, I completely agree with you that this is shoddy blogging on TreeHugger's part, both in its selective one-sided quoting of already-questionable sources rather than looking up the actual science and citing it, and its focus on fearmongering and FDA-bashing rather than on science. While the Southampton's study's conclusions are sound, the appropriate course of action at this point is to do more research. Asking the FDA to take such a massive step as banning food coloring used in countless products that we've all been eating for years requires a massive established body of science, not just a collection of studies, no matter how well-conducted they are.

==== author's response follows ====
Thanks for this well written, rational response.

In the context of your points, I'd like to add some perspective.

The Europeans, in response to two large scale outbreaks of Mad Cow and several incidents of dioxin contaminating foodstuffs, have shifted their risk management philosophy to the so-called "Precautionary Principle" which involves more of a prevention attitude, where the onus is on the seller of goods to prove that a product does not harm, rather than to let the consumer population demonstrate the pain has occurred in retrospect. We are talking about the lives of children here.

Under this approach, government would not necessarily "ban" anything outright. Instead, it could very slowly phase out the offending materials from proscribed uses, perhaps over a decade or two. This is exactly what was done under the Montreal Protocol for refrigerants and also under US TSCA law, for PCB's for example.

This way, any market impacts are balanced across industry sectors, exemptions allowed where risk is demonstrated to be acceptable, and research for alternatives (which can take a decade to get FDA permission for) can take place in a cost effective manner.

In other words we have a clear history - encompassing Republican and Democratic Administrations and Congressional majorities, respectively, - of having logically and fairly managed synthetic chemical hazards. If there is a will and leadership there will be a way.

Finally, as for the science being "Settled" I offer the reminder that the science was never settled fully for the phasing out from North American commerce of Chlordane, DIeldrin, PCBs and DDT. Yet, if we had not done so in a precautionary manner the Bald Eagle, our national bird would likely be extinct

When I was 3 (30 years ago), my mom put me on the Feingold Diet as a way to address the fact that I was allergic to everything, and was ADDHD to the nth degree.

Probably the worst thing for a kid at that age, this diet removed preservatives, colors, refined sugars, and processed grains from my diet.

It only took a few months,but it was clear that through purifying my body of these toxins I was improving in every category of health and was finally able to sit still.

too bad it took the UK gov't this long, and too bad the US is still in the dark on the role of diet and health.

r
www.china-crossroads.com

Dear snarky Anonymous, JFGI. If you don't know what that means, Google it. ;-)

One study was in "The Lancet" medical journal, Sept '07, but there's lots of clinical trials supporting this theory. Check the comments on this page to find a pretty comprehensive laundry list and summary of their findings.
http://blogs.webmd.com/adhd-medications-and-treatments/

Just ask any daycare educator or teacher; dyes are bad and some colors are worst than other.

educators gets a first hand experience on food coloring.

BUT, please keep in mind most of the colored food is heavily processed and contains bucket loads of sugars. And as a father of 2 young kids, sugar is not very good on kid's behavior .

Thanks John for this information.

Anonymous, too bad you didn't read the article before commenting, you might have learnt a lot. The study was indeed published in the prestigious "British Medical Journal." That is the name of the journal. Are you not familiar with scientific journals? Try google.
And the "British Regulators" would be the Food Standards Agency, a UK government body:
http://www.food.gov.uk/

Isn't it fun to try to protect the health of our children!

Matt,

There are many sites that reference the studies, just to name a few:

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/109838.php

This site will give you a link to a pdf file that have a lot of the studies that were done along with the petition to the FDA:
http://www.cspinet.org/new/200806022.html

And from:
http://earthfirst.com/food-manufacturers-ban-food-dyes-in-europe-to-protect-kids-but-not-in-the-us/

"…how is it that for thousands of years children managed to remain nourished and happy without blue cereal ? What is the battle here really all about other than protecting manufacturers and the chemical companies manufacturing the dyes."

Hmmm, I have the same question! Why do I know so many people who want to shove their children on Ritalin without trying anything else first, but don't want to take the time to actually make a good meal? I know that it is hard with all the running around we do, however, I am a single parent of a child with CP, heart disease & ADHD working three jobs and I find the time. I saw a drastic difference when we went all organic and cut out most artifical colors and preservatives. Not only with the ADHD. My son was in the hospital with asthma attacks 6-8 times a year. He hasn't had an asthma attack in 4 years since we changed our diet.

You may not believe it, but what can it hurt to try it and see for yourself first?

Anonymous, on July 19, 2008 7:05 PM asked:

"1. What is this so-called 'prestigious British Medical Journal.' if it was so prestigious, then why wasn't it named. Could it be amongst the ranks of the Daily Sun or National Inquirer?"

Anonymous goes on to criticize the findings, largely on the basis that the article's provenance is not reliable.

Regrettably, the Baltimore Sun article on which this post was based misunderstood the source of the original recommendation. Rather than being from "A prestigious British medical journal", the recommendation for eliminating artificial colors from foods in cases of ADHD was published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ), one of the most prestigious medical journals in the world. It is an understandable error, given that the title of the journal itself is rather generic, unlike, say, The Journal of the American Medical Association; but the Sun should have been more careful.

The BMJ editorial is:

Food additives and hyperactivity
BMJ 2008;336:1144 (24 May), doi:10.1136/bmj.39582.375336.BE
Andrew Kemp, professor of paediatric allergy and clinical immunology
Department of Allergy and Immunology, Children’s Hospital at Westmead, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2145, Australia

I agree with other commenters that citing an article that cites the original source is shoddy journalism. Always cite the original source if at all possible.

As for the risk of of food coloring, color me a believer. When I was a small child I had urinary infections that were linked to food coloring. As soon as I stopped eating colored cereals and juices I immediately stopped getting infections.

One last point: I'm not sure where the author ever got the idea that Wal Mart is a "maverick." In any case, there is no way that Wal Mart will take this up unless it becomes a huge public consciousness issue. Wal Mart started "going green," but only after the issue reached critical mass in the public eye. Anyway, calling Wal Mart a "maverick" is way too kind.

Once agian, USA turns it's ignorant head for the sake of money! Im appauled that inspite of European results that this food coloring may be the cause of ADHD, America wont react accordingly, seems like the profits the pharmaceutical companies aquire from thousands of ADHD meds, is enough to turn a blind eye....And what about how much tests have been done on the effects of pesticide use on children as well, the governements, including mine of canada, should be immediatly enforcing organic only products, damn the money these companies would be losing by reformulating their products, I say it's all worth it if it can save children from certain kinds of cancers~ It's disgusting that our governments are more concerned with the economy than they are the basic rights of their peoples and the very earth we live on, which is why I think USA refuses to give in take immediate change on global warming, did anybody else hear President Bush's so called solution for the oil crisis? Up the demand he says, buy more oil.............I cant stand that these bafoons are running the world, Im happy that Europe has taken such concern with the current problems facing us all. If only canada and the US would quickly and efficiantly follow their lead.

Europeans have a basic trust for government and a basic distrust for corporations. Hence, corporations don't have all the freedoms and opportunities to abuse the system the way american companies do. Americans on the other hand tend to distrust government and trust corporations. If we flipped our priorities we wouldn't see as much corporate abuse. This is however assuming that we regulate our government and pay attention to what our lawmakers are doing.

I have Adult ADHD, and I've never found it to be a hindrance. Not once. I don't really understand what the fixation to fix these issues are? I see it as being an asset rather than a hindrance. Sure, I can't sit still for longer than an hour at a time, but that makes for a better ergonomic workplace because I'm up and about (and still working), and preventing from injuring myself by being in the same position for 8 hours.

And it has helped my driving by making me more alert on the road. Instead of getting tunnel vision, my eyes naturally dart all over the road and to all the mirrors, constantly monitoring and processing all incoming stimuli, and making sure that I remain a safe driver, even if others aren't.

I also have an increased multitasking ability, being able to think about different things at once because I'm not able to focus on anything. But, it has also given me the ability to do the opposite and provide a hyper-focus when the auditory stimuli is occupied with music. Hence, why my radio is always on in my car, and why headphones are always on my head at work.

I've never been able to study in quiet. All that aside, I eat healthy when I can, and my ability to "sit still" has improved, but I wouldn't trade my "condition" for anything in the world. I feel that it has made me a superior human being because I'm not trying to correct it, or live up to some societal norm that it might be wrong. It's not an affliction to those that can embrace and manage it.

Organic is the way to go! I try to remove all processed food (including chocolate) from my meals and snacks. I don't have children, so it is easiler but i think snacks with honey instead of sugar are better.

Fantastic snack is seed bar with honey :)

I grew up in a household with very healthy food and lifestyle habits - my parents severely limited processed foods, artificial colors and flavors and refined sugars. In elementary school I would have sold my soul for PB&J sandwich on white bread with creamy Skippy and grape jelly. Outside of school, my sister and I spent every daylight hour outside, riding bikes, playing sports and exploring in the woods. I continue those habits today.

I've also always had ADHD. My parents did what they thought was best for me when I was younger and ignored teachers and friend's suggestions to possibly pursue medical/pharmaceutical assitance.

Last year, at 27, under the guidance of a psychiatrist, I started taking Ritalin and one of my biggest fears was confirmed - I should have started it before high school. It helps me in almost every aspect of my life - work, personal relationships and everyday interactions. Now don't get me wrong, my life wasn't terrible before I started taking Ritalin - I graduated from college and law school, I have a good job, I have a wonderful partner. BUT, for me, life is better with this medication. I can think and communicate more clearly, my memory is better and I can focus and listen when others are speaking. I am still myself when medicated - free thinking, creative, observant - I am just a better version of myself.

I don't think medication should always be the first solution for a problem, but sometimes it is the best solution.

We have known for years that the color dyes affected our children and had to watch what we fed our one son as it would give him massive migraines and mood swings. He would have bad reactions at school on the days they had chicken dogs because they were full of red dye.

There should have been something done about this many years ago. WHAT are they waiting for ?
I hope the European trends don't take a life time to have an effect on the US to get them to change this.

Er, yeah anonymous, well done, your ancestors kicked the british out of america. *claps*. That doesn't alter medical fact, or the simple fact that you can criticise a place and still be patriotic. Why would anyone other than a patriot bother to criticise?

I think the article is missing quite a few areas, the last i remember here in the united states the press should be able to state the sources of their articles, of course protecting the sources if they are indangered or don't want to have their name in the limelight. And why should we here in the united states give up every damn freedom and right we have left to some global agenda that is set up by a select few that want to rule the whole world.. A means to a global government, world currency etc, Im not for it in the least.. the whole word COMPLY... we should comply to who, and why? COMPLY sounds more like surrender to our governmental system for the world, a world government... a big difference in sharing ideas to better the world then to surrender to an agenda already set for the world. and we here in the united states already feed alot of starving we dont need europe taxing us to get money for global warming and starving, when in many ways we are helping and making changes.. we fought the britsh TAX before... we need not apply.. to a global taxation scam.. COMPLY OR ELSE... sounds like BUSH!! SCARE TATICS ARE HITLER LIKE!!! Will not lead to change.. especially where personal freedoms are at risk.

I wanted to clarify a few things here.
I'm a therapist who works with kids with ADHD frequently.

There is a difference between ADHD and a food/food additive allergy. I have not read the journal article, just perused the Baltimore Sun article, but it is not saying the dyes cause ADHD just the dyes cause ADHD symptoms.

The difference being if you have a food allergy and you eat something you are allergic to you can have behavioral reactions. These do not equal you actually having ADHD.

To give a similar analogy i have a family member with diabetes, and when her sugar is out of whack she has mood swings. She is not bipolar, but she has mood swings when her sugar is not under control.

The British are removing one potential cause for behavioral issues. They are not curing ADHD with this. They may end up with fewer false diagnosis of ADHD because of this.

As for people who have ADHD outside of food allergy related issues, how they decide to treat it/manage it is a personal/family choice. For some people medication is the right choice. I have known children who really struggled feeling out of control wihtout it. For others medication is not the right choice. Learning to manage ADHD is important whether or not you take medication.
This is because there are two levels of effectiveness the first allows your mind to settle but doesn't really stop you from making poor choices the second is a higher dose that inhibits poor behavioral responses but no longer helps concentration. Doctors typically (or at least good ones) aim for the first level because if a person can think they can make better behavioral choices. Therefore managing impulses is left up to people to learn/ therapists to help teach.

As for the US decision to ignore this research, it is a very anti-government regulation response to corporations. Whether you like that or not it is typical of America. There are a lot of people out there who are very much aware of the impact of food allergies & sensitivities on children and adults, and thankfully even if the government does not step in there are people in communities who will pass on information to parents about hwo these food issues can effect children's behavior.

I appreciate treehugger for posting this an alerting more people to the potential dangers of food additives, but it is not necessarily something that will kill people, just make things harder for people and families. The US government since prohibition made the choice not to regulate people's bad choices. This is another bad chocie that people can make, and people can inflict on their kids. The best we can do right now is to make it known this is a bad choice, so hopefully people will vote with their wallets and demand something better.

money talks... as a parent of an adhd child, i have found over the years that you cant wait around for the FDA to do squat..if the demand is for green catsup and brightly colored froot loops, then they will supply it, if the demand goes up for more organically produced foods, hormone free milk, grass fed beef, the supply increases...supply and demand. do you really think the FDA gives a fat rats --- what your putting into your childrens mouths? its like the saying goes, out of sight, out of mind. if Joe Blo wakes up on monday morning and hears about a recall on hamburger meat because of e- coli, he rushes into the kitchen and throwit out, doesnt buy it for a while, maybe, but after a few weeks, hes forgotten all about it and is slurping down another burger. UNTIL EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US STARTS PAYING ATTENTION, BOYCOTTING UNSAFE FOODS, AND LETTING THE FDA KNOW THAT WE WANT HEALTHY FOOD FOR OUR CHILDREN, GUESS WHAT FOLKS, THINGS WILL NEVER CHANGE..of yeah, that goes for the EPA too.

Dear Readers, I just find it amazing that lots of you do not take this report seriously?
When professor Stevenson of Southampton University in England published his report in the world famous medical Journal ' The Lancet ' he found a strong case for a possible link between behavioural problems in children and artificial food colouring.
What person would even question the removal of such petroleum based dyes from foods and candy if it even had a 'chance' of effecting any child in an adverse way?
Stop and listen to yourselves...
We are talking about our most precious resource ..
OUR CHILDREN!...

I have my "unscientific" but convinceable data for me as to the toxicity of food dyes. I started a food journal for my son when he was 7 and found that whenever he had even a trace of Red 40 (ie. organic cupcake and frosting - but with colored sprinkles) he would go into a migraine. I can believe that other negative neurological effects could happen from the same artificial colors. Read every label if you are concerned - in the US, some manufacturers use Red 40 to make chocolate browner (ie. hot cocoa mix)!