Look, if you’re superstitious about food colorings then don’t feed them to your kids but my interest in this non issue expired when observing that parents’ impression of their kids’ behavior was affected by whether the parents were told their little darlings had been given food colorings or not.
The wackos are out to get warnings (what’s the harm, right?) which they will then present in the EU as “proof” of unacceptable risk to get a ban there, which they then leverage to get bans elsewhere. It’s how the anti-capitalists work and we must never yield to them.
The only acceptable response is that the colorings have been reviewed and found safe, that’s an end to it, now go away.
Why do we pander to the scaremongers and fear profiteers?
Consumer group urges ban or warning on food dyes
The color dyes used to brighten cereals, snacks and drinks help make some children hyperactive and should be banned or at least carry a warning, critics told U.S. government advisers on Wednesday.
Artificial blue, green, orange, red and yellow food colorings show up in everything from PepsiCo’s Gatorade, Cheetos and Doritos to Kellogg’s Eggo waffles and Kraft’s Jell-O desserts.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has long deemed the dyes safe but is reviewing recent studies of the colors’ effects on children’s behavior at the request of a consumer group. Gathering input from a panel of outside advisers is part of that review. The committee is expected to make recommendations on Thursday. (Reuters)
F.D.A. Panel to Consider Warnings for Artificial Food Colorings
WASHINGTON — After staunchly defending the safety of artificial food colorings, the federal government is for the first time publicly reassessing whether foods like Jell-O, Lucky Charms cereal and Minute Maid Lemonade should carry warnings that the bright artificial colorings in them worsen behavior problems like hyperactivity in some children.
The Food and Drug Administration concluded long ago that there was no definitive link between the colorings and behavior or health problems, and the agency is unlikely to change its mind any time soon. But on Wednesday and Thursday, the F.D.A. will ask a panel of experts to review the evidence and advise on possible policy changes, which could include warning labels on food.
The hearings signal that the growing list of studies suggesting a link between artificial colorings and behavioral changes in children has at least gotten regulators’ attention — and, for consumer advocates, that in itself is a victory. (NYT)
“parents’ impression of their kids’ behavior was affected by whether the parents were told their little darlings had been given food colorings or not. “
Hey Steve, not to be a killjoy, but do you have the citation for this? My wife desperately needs to see it….
Not Steve & I didn’t provide a reference because, as I wrote, my observation. You can certainly get “ratty” kids with the excitement of birthday parties etc., additional calorie-dense treats may add to the euphoria/hysteria but I’ve yet to see any evidence (or random control studies) you can induce any difference with coloring-free goodies.