Bonbon -colored muesli. Neongurken. Wasabi peas. Many popular foods receive their eyes on artificial dyes. Artificial dyes are exactly what they sound: synthetic colors used in food so that they look appealing for children and adults.
Artificial dyes have recently become a hotly discussed topic. You may have seen the topic in the news or on social media.
Part of what they see can be quite alarming. It is therefore understandable whether you are wondering whether some of your grocery stores could be harmful to your health.
As a registered nutritionist, I am here to share the facts about artificial food dyes and their possible effects.
What are artificial food dyes?
Artificial food dyes often come from oil chemicals (1).
Many artificial dyes are approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and European Food Safety (EFSA) for use in Processed foodsRubber vitamins and medication (1Present 2).
Some of the most frequently used artificial food dyes (10) contain:
- Red 3 (erythrosine): Cherry red color.
- Red 40 (Allura Red): Dark red dye.
- Yellow 5 (Tartrazin): Lemon-yellow dye.
- Yellow 6 (sunset yellow): Orange-yellow color.
- Blue 1 (brilliant blue): A greenish-blue dye.
- Blue 2 (Indigo Carmine): Royal blue color.
- Green 3 (fast green): grassy dye.
The FDA recently banned the use of Red 3 in food, nutritional supplements and oral drugs, but companies have time to remove the dye from their products (products (products14).
At the moment both the FDA and the EFSA still cheap ((12). Some other dyes are approved by a regulatory authority, but not by others. Red 40 is the most frequently used food dye (3).
These artificial colors could be in food such as (11):
- Breakfast cereals
- Packaged baked goods
- Kept fruits
- Ice cream
- Jarred cucumber
- Packaged soups
- popsicle
- Sweets and fruit gums
- Spices and sauces
- Snacks with cheese taste
- Hearty snacks such as flavored popcorn and chips
- Mushy and frozen drinks
- Sports drinks and non -alcoholic drinks
- Cake decoration gels and icings
Since 2010, food with certain artificial dyes in Europe has been wearing a warning sign with the inscription “With the inscription” With attention, you have a adverse effect on attention in children “(children” (possibly disadvantageous to activity and attention “(“5).
There is no equivalent labeling system in the United States. This is because according to the FDA (information from the FDA (12).
Potential health effects of artificial food dyes
Some research work has triggered possible concerns about artificial food dyes. This research suggests that that Artificial dyes can affect the behavioral health of the children ((6).
For example, a report by Oehha in California in 2021 linked artificial dyes with behavioral problems such as hyperactivity in children (children) (children (children (7). A 2024 overview of 15 studies suggests that artificial food dyes can affect health. These risks are also even greater for children (of greater importance (8).
Due to the research of their possible behavior effects, California prohibited six artificial dyes in public schools in 2024. This was known as the Food security law in California. Since then, 11 countries have introduced similar laws in which certain food dyes and additives prohibit (15Present 16).
The acceptable daily intake for these dyes was determined decades ago before the latest research was carried out (((6). Recent studies suggest Current acceptable daily admission can be too high for childrenWho can be more susceptible to the potential effects of food dyes (6).
In 2018, a report by the American Academy of Pediatrics pushed a security check (9). Further research is required to fully understand the possible effects of food dyes.
What does that mean for you?
In the absence of a conclusive examination of the possible health effects of artificial dyes, You may want to restrict as a precaution, especially if you feed children. Fortunately, this has become easier because many of course colored food come onto the market.
If you want to consider artificial meal dyes
You can do the following if you want to restrict the artificial food dyes in your diet:
- Choose Whole Foods: Reduce the consumption of ultra-processed food and focus on a diet that is rich in healthy full food. This automatically reduces the absorption of artificial food dyes with the additional bonus of improving general health.
- Be informed: Check the food labels. Identify dyes in your contact devices and find natural alternatives or do them.
- Bring children with healthy eating: Show you how to make food selection. This helps you to understand why you may switch to new options for some of your snacks.
- Of course: Thanks to buyers who ask about it, food with natural ingredients are available in most grocery stores. You can also experiment with natural alternatives to give food at home and taste food, e.g. B.:
- Blue spirulina (blue)
- Red beet powder (red)
- Turmeric or carrots (orange)
- Safran (yellow orange)
- Berries such as raspberries and blueberries (pink, blue, purple)
- Red cabbage (blue)
- Matcha or spinach (green)
Every natural dye has slightly different preparation methods. You can easily find them online. This is an entertaining activity for children and you can see how you can color food without using artificial dyes.
If you take these steps, you can limit artificial dyes for you and your family.
Artificial food dyes are a hot topic for health -conscious consumers. Some people decide to limit the artificial food dyes in their diet, as research indicates that these dyes may have undesirable effects, especially for children. Further research is required.
It may not be realistic for you to completely remove artificial dyes from your diet. So enjoy your favorite sweetness, drink or other treats in moderation, be it natural or artificial ingredients. This is balance!
The contribution What kind of nutritionist does she want to know about artificial dyes appeared first Myfitnespal Blog.
