You've heard that sugar is not the cause of a hyper child. Yet as a parent you KNOW it is. Maybe the problem isn't the sugar. Rather, research shows that it could be the food coloring.
On March 31st, 2011, the FDA voted whether foods containing artificial dyes should carry a warning label. The European Food Safety Authority has required warning labels for years and six dyes eliminated in 2009.
Dr. Ben Feingold of the Kaiser Foundation Hospitals of Northern California warned the public of these problems back in the 1970s. The Feingold Association continues promoting the Feingold Elimination Diet.
In September 2007, the British medical journal The Lancet presented evidence that a mix of additives commonly found in children’s foods increases hyperactivity. The team of researchers concluded, “The finding lends strong support for the case that food additives exacerbate hyperactive behaviors (inattention, impulsivity and overactivity) at least into middle childhood.” The additives included
Yellow #5, Yellow #6 and Red #40 among others.
In Europe, Red #40 is not recommended for consumption by children. It is banned completely for consumption in Belgium, Denmark, France, Sweden and Switzerland.
A 2008 study by Britain's Food Standards Agency (their version of the FDA) found that seven dyes could affect children's intelligence by up to five IQ points. According to head researcher Professor Jim Stevenson, that is the same level of damaged caused by leaded gas in the 1980s, which was phased out by the year 2000 for health reasons.
On June 30, 2010, the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) asked the FDA to ban Yellow #5, Yellow #6 and Red #40. The report claims the dyes contain known carcinogens and contaminants that unnecessarily increase the risks of cancer, hyperactivity in children and allergic reactions. Director Michael Jacobson said, "These synthetic chemicals do absolutely nothing to improve the nutritional quality or safety of foods, but trigger behavior problems in children and, possibly, cancer in anybody."
What was the result of the FDA's meeting? Shula Edelkind of the Feingold Association was asked to present information. She felt the panel was on the side of the children and the public. Nevertheless, she reports, "The members of the Advisory Committee did not have the liberty to write a report or make recommendations. They were only permitted to answer "yes" or "no" to a series of questions that were an example of bureaucratic "double-speak." It placed them in an almost impossible position since neither "yes" nor "no" were suitable answers for some questions, and some questions had multiple parts. Several times the Committee members themselves complained bitterly about the wording. In fact, at one point, they were warned, "Be careful how you vote here, because if you vote "yes" it means "no."
The end result was 6 "yes" to require warning labels and 8 voted "no." Please, let this be your warning label: ARTIFICIAL FOOD COLORING IN YOUR JELLY BEANS, FROOT LOOPS AND DRINKS MAY CAUSE HYPERACTIVE, LESS INTELLIGENT CHILDREN.
Read the label. Look for natural food colorings.
by Ruth Princess
Princess and Pirate Parties
