Catherine Larkin - Mar 23, 2011 3:54 PM ET
Artificial food coloring may make hyperactivity worse in some children, U.S. regulators said, responding to a petition to ban eight dyes used in food.
Studies suggest that some children with behavioral issues such as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder have a ?unique intolerance? to substances in food, including chemicals used to make coloring brighter and more attractive, Food and Drug Administration staff said in a report released today. There?s no proof that these dyes cause hyperactivity, the agency said.
The Center for Science in the Public Interest urged the FDA to revoke approval for blue, green, orange, red and yellow dyes linked to behavioral changes in hyperactive children in studies in 2004 and 2007. An FDA advisory committee is scheduled to meet next week in Silver Spring, Maryland, to discuss the risks.
?Findings from relevant clinical trials indicate that the effects on their behavior appear to be due to a unique intolerance to these substances and not to any inherent neurotoxic properties,? FDA staff said in the report.
To contact the reporter on this story: Catherine Larkin in Washington at clarkin4@bloomberg.net.
To contact the editor responsible for this story: Adriel Bettelheim at abettelheim@bloomberg.net.
Replies
8
SoWal InsiderAuthor
SoWal Guide
we have heard this for a while. we have also attended many parent ed classes when nutritionists, occupational therapists, psychologists, etc.. talk about how children's diets are the first thing examined when behavior issues become problematic, or interfere with school work or social/emotional development. I believe some behavior problems/hyperativity can be resolved with proper diet - as many parents I know have discovered first hand - after doing their own research and maybe consulting with nutritionists and/or child psychologists who know about how foods affect behaviors. It is also one important reason that our school places so much emphasis on kids eating only healthy foods at school (it helps with overall in-school productivity, and hopefully carries over into home).
however... my kid is just as hooked on Cheese Doritoes as I am (not to mention coke and other horrible choices)... whattayagonnado? we don't send these foods to school, but we do eat 'em occasionally. We are lucky we don't have noticeable problems as a result, but I am sure some people really do!
however... my kid is just as hooked on Cheese Doritoes as I am (not to mention coke and other horrible choices)... whattayagonnado? we don't send these foods to school, but we do eat 'em occasionally. We are lucky we don't have noticeable problems as a result, but I am sure some people really do!
Edited
Beach Fanatic
I guess you know those doritos are full of msg?
SoWal Guide
I guess you know those doritos are full of msg?
like I said.... whatareyagonnado? refrain??? ha!!! actually, we have cut back but not entirely.
SoWal Expert
More chemicals are bad for kids with behavior issues caused by chemicals.
Glad I was sitting down for that. :roll:
Glad I was sitting down for that. :roll:
Beach Fanatic
like I said.... whatareyagonnado? refrain??? ha!!! actually, we have cut back but not entirely.
In my case, yes, because msg makes me ill, I have to avoid it. Which means avoiding a great many foods, and you would also be amazed at how many restaurants use the stuff. (SoWal included) Makes me wonder how many parents don't understand why it is that they can't take the kids out to eat without them turning into hyperactive little monsters.
Beach Fanatic
Marachino Cherries were my son's favorite chemical as a kid. Just give him one and his eyes glazed over and he was unstoppable.
Banned
Colorful food might cause ADD, but it also holds your attention so it kind of evens out.
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