Audiovisual Sponsor

Informational Panel onArtificial Food Dyes and Child

NutritionFoods and Nutrition Students from San Diego State University

About your panelists…..

Agenda:

• Background on food dyes and associated dangers• Students involved with current CSPI food dye research • Bridging food dyes with child nutrition • What the research says...• Food dyes in U.S. vs Europe • Vision for food dye bans • How you to support and get involved

Student involvement with CPSI food dye research

Center for Science in the Public Interest Food Dye Research

● Non - profit Independent science-based consumer advocacy ● No industry or government funding● Addresses nutrition, food safety, scientific integrity● Publishes Nutrition Action Healthletter● Additive app - chemcuisine

CSPI Additive App: chemcuisine

Problems with Artificial Food Dyes

•No Nutrition or Health Function

•Misleading - mistaken for colorful fruits & vegetables

•Behavioral, cancer, and allergy concerns

Misleading/Nutrient Replacement Tropicana Twister Cherry

Berry Blast

Ingredients: Filtered Water, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Apple and Grape Juice Concentrates, Citric Acid, Natural and Artificial Flavors, Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) and Red 40.

Contains 10% Juice.

VS

Source of: Anthocyanins, PotassiumRich in: Vitamin A, Vitamin C, B-complex Vitamins

Permitted Synthetic Food Dyes

Dyed Food Appealing to Kids • >90% of Kid-Oriented Fruit-Flavored Snacks, Candies, Drink Mixes/Powders Use Food Dyes

Batada A, Jacobson MJ. Clin Pediatr. In press.

Meta-analysis entered here

Food Dye & Child Behavior: U.S.“for certain susceptible children with ADHD and other problem behaviors, the data suggest that their condition may be exacerbated by exposure to a number of substances in food, including, but not limited to, artificial food colors”

– FDA, 2010

Food Dye & Child Behavior: UK

“If a child shows signs of hyperactivity or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), eliminating the colours* considered in the Southampton study from their diet might have some beneficial effects on their behavior.”

* Includes Yellow 5/Tartrazine, Yellow 6/Sunset Yellow FCF, Red 40 /Allura Red

European Food Dye Warning Label The label states:“may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children” ● required in Europe on foods containing any

of the most-widely used colors (including Yellow 5, Yellow 6, and Red 40).

E.U. role modeling…. McDonalds: STRAWBERRY SUNDAE - TOPPING

• US: Strawberries, Sugar, Water, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Natural Strawberry Flavor with other Natural Flavors (Fruit Source), Citric Acid, Pectin, Sodium Benzoate (Preservative), Carob Bean Gum, Red 40, Calcium Chloride.

• Canada: Strawberries, Sugar/Glucose-Fructose, Water, Natural Flavor, Citric Acid, Locust Bean Gum, Pectin, Potassium Sorbate, Colour, Calcium Chloride. [Colour is Allura Red]

• UK: Strawberries (38%), Sugar, Glucose Syrup, Water, Gelling Agent (Pectin), Acidulant (Citric Acid).

NO ARTIFICIAL COLORS!

Letter to FDA from Experts

FDA’s Response to Letter

Food Dye Solutions • Use dyes from natural

sources such as --->

• Ban synthetic food dyes

• Require label disclosure of any added colorings

CA Senator Wieckowski Bill: SB-504 • If passed would require warning labels on all food

containing synthetic dyes in California.

“It’s important for parents to have this information as they seek ways to help their children who suffer from behavioral problems,” Wieckowski said. “Raising awareness through warning labels will educate parents about the adverse effects of food dye and empower them to make better-informed choices when they are shopping. These labels are in use in the European Union and Great Britain, and California parents deserve to be aware of the effects too.”• State Senator Bob Wieckowski (D-Fremont)

How can you support CA Bill SB-504? Get notices about opportunities to support the bill by joining CSPI’s action network!

https://cspinet.org/act-now

Questions?