Legislating Color
After studies emerged linking synthetics in our food to hyperactive behavior in children, everyone said “Huh. I guess that figures.”
Now, Europe taking a second look at chemical dyes, and pending legislation would have products with any of six artificial colors come with a health warning.
That said, “it’s not over ’til the fat lobbiest sings”, and the European Food Safety Authority opined that there is no evidence to change acceptable daily intakes (ADIs). Fortunately, the EFSA is the commission’s independent risk assessor, but the legislative body is under no obligation to follow its opinions.
Meanwhile the US-based Center for Science in the Public Interest has petitioned the FDA to ban artificial colorings linked to hyperactivity and behavior problems in children. While they also want warning labels on foods with artificial dyes, they would settled for an out and out ban.
They have a point, actually. The CSPI cites FDA statistics that the amount of food dye certified for use was 12 milligrams per capita per day in 1955. But as of 2007, 59 mg per capita per day, or nearly five times as much, was certified for use.
And where do you get these dyes? Predominantly from sugary cereals, candies, sodas, and snack foods pitched to children. Hence they want the artificial dyes to be removed from the food formula.
But again, exactly what is meant by the term “artificial color” depends on which side of the Atlantic you are standing.
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