The Truth about Food Dyes and Cancer

Brightly colored fruits and vegetables contain phytonutrients, which give these foods their hue. Each of the colors represents a different nutrient or compound. These substance promote health and vitality. These colors also make your food visually appealing

Bright red strawberry fillings in cereal bars and multi-hued candy coated shells dazzle our eyes and make our stomachs rumble in anticipation.

Why Food Dyes Are Used:

When food is mass-produced and artificially created, nutrients and natural colors are lost. In order to keep them appetizing, manufacturers add in artificial food dye, preservatives, and agents to inhibit spoilage. The natural beauty and nutrition of foods is replaced with fake compounds.

In the United States, this is big business and new artificial food dyes are being created to meet the demand.

Why Can’t the US Follow the EU’s Lead?

The European Union decided to put a halt to potentially dangerous additives in 2010. In Britain, manufacturers were requested to replace artificial food colors and flavors with natural alternatives. At the very least, any foods containing artificial food dyes now have to carry a warning label.

The US currently has no plans to ban food dyes or alter any of the regulations concerning these additives. This is in spite of research that shows the danger food dyes pose to consumers, particularly children, who are the primary demographic for most brightly colored foods.

Food Dye Colors to Watch Out For:

Some of the most dangerous color additives currently in use are:

Blue #1 (Brilliant Blue) – found primarily in baked goods, beverages, and cereals. It caused kidney tumors in laboratory mice.

Blue #2 (Indigo Carmine) – colorant in candies, pet food, and other items. Shown to cause brain tumors in rats.

Green #3 (Fast Green) – found in many cosmetics, candy, and drugs. Increases tumors of the bladder and testes in male rats.

Red #3 (Erythrosine) – colors maraschino cherries, baked goods, and candy. Banned by the FDA for causing thyroid tumors when used in externally applied cosmetics and topical drugs.

Red #40 (Allura Red) – the most widely used dye found in cereals, desserts, drugs, and cosmetics. Accelerates immune system tumors in mice and triggers allergic reactions and hyperactivity in children.

Yellow #5 (Tartrazine) – found in any number of baked goods, cereal, gelatin products, and dessert powders. Causes severe hypersensitivity and triggers hyperactivity disorders and other behavioral issues in children.

Yellow #6 (Sunset Yellow) – Used in beverages, desserts, gelatin, candy, and even sausage. Found to cause adrenal tumors and trigger severe hyperactivity in children.

Unfortunately, these food dyes are so commonly used, particularly in food aimed at children, that parents don’t even consider the dangers. Rainbow cereals, blue energy drinks, electric-orange cheese flavored snacks are commonplace on supermarket shelves and usually inexpensive as well.

Children are the Main Victims of Food Dyes:

There are no warnings in the US, as there is in the European Union, that alert parents that the dyes contained in the foods have been shown to cause behavioral changes and attention issues in children.

Children see bright colors and demand that their wants be satisfied. Meanwhile, well-meaning parents wonder why their kids are taking medicine for attention deficit disorder (ADD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and other behavioral problems that are becoming a pandemic all their own.

The problem isn’t in their brains, it is in their food:

Behavior isn’t the only concern with food dyes. Laboratory studies continue to show that these dyes, used in almost every food processed in the US, have carcinogenic properties.
Every single year, manufacturers dump over 15 million pounds of food dyes into our food supply. These food dyes are added simply to make food prettier and more attractive, despite it being known that these dyes cause cancer in both lab animals and humans. They have no nutritional value, but continue to be used.

Food Dye Made From Petroleum:

Petroleum-based food dyes are particularly dangerous. The dyes contain benzidine, proven to dramatically raise the risk of developing cancer. The Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has stated that ingestion is typically under the “concern threshold.” Their routine tests are in question for not fully recognizing the true amount or levels that a body can store, thereby building up quantities in the system. Nor do they take into consideration the increasing exposure of children to these substances in other products besides their food.

With a policy of not commenting on topics under review, the FDA remains silent on this issue.

Safer Food Color Options Do Exist:

The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) has accused the FDA of ignoring the evidence and failing to protect the public. With safer alternatives available, there is no reason to continue their use. Safe and natural food coloring include those made from carrots, beets, berries, herbs and spices such as saffron or paprika. These substances actually add nutritional value to the food.

Orange soda in Britain is colored with pumpkin and carrot extracts, while in the US it is made with Red40 and Yellow6. Cereal bars, thought by parents to be a healthier treat, use Red40, Yellow6, and Blue1 instead of beet, paprika, and annatto, which is made from seeds of the achiote tree.
Studies continue into the dangers of artificial food dyes and additives and the FDA is performing their own assessments as well. In the meantime, as consumers, there are alternatives available.

Where to Find Natural Food Dyes in the US:

Major health food chains like Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s, have banned items containing artificial dyes and even have natural food colorings available for home baking. Organic foods, including kid favorites like cereals, snack bars and macaroni and cheese are on supermarket shelves across the US.

Organic foods use natural dyes in their process as well as healthier ingredients overall. Homemade foods, rather than manufactured, are the very best alternative, but not always an option for busy families.

Parents should be aware of the dangers and make the best choices they can until the US catches up with the European Union. Diligence and awareness is key to keeping kids safe and healthy.

Read More