The Food Standards Agency Board (FSA) have called upon UK ministers to implement voluntary action by manufacturers to remove food colours by 2009.
Following discussion about the effects that certain food colours have on children’s behaviour, it has been suggested that there be an EU wide phasing out of the additives found in children’s food and drink.
?Dame Deirdre Hutton, chair of the FSA, said: “These additives give colour to foods but nothing else. It would therefore be sensible? to remove them from food and drink products.”
FSA chief scientist, Andrew Wadge, said: “This advice is proportionate and based on the best available science. However, we need to remember that there are many factors associated with hyperactive behaviour in children other than diet. These are thought to include genetic factors, being born prematurely, or environment and upbringing.”
Children who show?signs of hyperactivity shoul have the artificial colours Sunset yellow (E110), Quinoline yellow (E104), Carmoisine (E122), Allura red (E129), Tartrazine (E102) and Ponceau 4R (E124) cut from their diets, advise the FSA.
