Food Dye & Your Child's Behavior

I recently read that Americans consume five times as much food dye as they did 30 years ago. Even more shocking is this fact: while our consumption of food dye has increased, the British arms of General Mills, Kellogg, Kraft and McDonald's use few or no dyes.

The food dye trend in other countries is turning due to numerous studies abroad which have shown that dyes may have adverse effects on activity and attention in children. After the studies were conducted, the British Food Standards Agency began urging companies to voluntarily dump the dyes.

In our own country, the Center for Science in the Public Interest took note and is now petitioning the FDA to ban Yellow 5 and 6, Red 3 and 40, Blue 1 and 2 Green 3, and Orange B.

The question is simple: "Why should Americans continue to consume these synthetic dyes when many multinational companies are phasing them out elsewhere?"

Take a look in your kitchen. You might just be surprised which popular products contain dyes:

Frito-Lay Tostitos Hint of Lime
Colors: Blue 1, Red 40

Yoplait Light Red Raspberry Yogurt
Color: Red 40

Kraft Macaroni & Cheese
Colors: Yellow 5, 6

There really is no excuse to put these garbage dyes into your body or your family's when so many inexpensive and naturally colored products are available at Trader Joe's. Even the "O" organic line at Safeway is generally a safe bet.

If you are not convinced yet, consider this. If you go into a McDonald's for a strawberry sundae in the U.S., you'll get a nice helping of Red 40 with your ice cream. The same sundae - served up in the U.K. - gets its great red color from its contents: the strawberries.