There are a wide variety of foods containing artificial food dyes, from brightly-colored candy and breakfast cereal to plenty of other healthy options that do not contain these substances.
Benjamin Feingold, a pediatric allergist at that time, presented research suggesting artificial colors caused hyperactivity among children. Other studies since have provided similar conclusions.
Look for Natural Food Colors
Natural food coloring offers an excellent alternative to synthetic dyes for people looking for non-toxic alternatives to petroleum-derived artificial colors, and can be found in products like drinks, candy and high-quality vitamins.
As consumer preferences shift toward clean label foods, the global market for natural food colors is projected to experience rapid expansion. Many companies have invested heavily in developing natural dyes. Examples include Sensient Technologies Corporation, Archer Daniels Midland, Naturex S.A, Dohler GmbH Symrise AG and Kalsec Inc.
Selecting products colored with natural food dyes helps support sustainable agriculture practices and decrease dependence on fossil fuels, while contributing to a healthier environment. Furthermore, some natural colorants have been linked to health benefits, including cochineal (derived from Latin American female cochineal insects living on cacti) and curcumin ( extracted from turmeric roots) which give food an “wellness halo”. Such colors create food products with greater market appeal that resonates with consumers.
Check the Nutrition Label
Manufacturers have begun switching over to natural dyes; however, it’s essential that customers check nutrition labels carefully since dyes may still be present even in seemingly healthy products.
Food dyes are petroleum or crude oil derived chemicals used in laboratories to color food and beverages. Food dyes can be found in many packaged snacks marketed towards children such as boxed cereals, mac-and-cheese, candy bars and vitamins.
Studies indicate that artificial dye consumption could contribute to hyperactivity and worsen ADHD symptoms in children, while some of these chemicals have also been linked to cancer and genotoxicity, or the ability to cause genetic mutations.
Though it may be challenging to avoid all dyes, there are still steps you can take to help make a difference. Look for granola bars free from food dyes and plain rice crackers instead of those with flavorings; choose varieties without Yellow 5 and Yellow 6. When ordering nachos and cheese trays with spray cheese dispensers that contain Yellow 5 and Yellow 6, choose those without Yellow 6 content; carmine, an insect-derived colorant is another colorant to avoid due to its toxic qualities for humans.
Avoid Processed Foods
Processed foods contain salt, sugar, unhealthy fats, preservatives and coloring agents – elements typically found in breakfast cereals, soda and candy; processed meats like hot dogs or deli ham; doughnuts or frozen pizza are just a few examples of processed food that contain these elements.
Avoid processed food that contains artificial colors; opt for fresh vegetables and fruit, whole grains and minimally processed products like bagged salad or frozen green beans instead.
As more consumers demand food dyes be removed, some companies are responding. Many manufacturers are starting to reformulate existing products using natural food coloring options like turmeric, paprika and purple cabbage as natural food colorants; other choices could include beet juice, purple corn carmine (derived from beetles) and annatto extract as alternatives that produce various hues between blue to violet to pink while being less expensive than synthetic dyes.
