Additives do cause temper tantrums
Parents have long suspected that artificial food colourings can affect their child's mood and behaviour. Now a government-funded study shows that parents were right all along.
Taken
from The Food Magazine published 25th October 2002
Food additives can cause behaviour changes in toddlers, even in those who have no history of hyperactivity. A new government-funded study by the UK's Asthma & Allergy Research Centre concluded that all children could benefit from the removal of specified artificial food colourings from their diet.
This is the first
time that a UK government-sponsored scientific study has corroborated
the link between food colourings and preservatives and changes in children's
mood and behaviour. For decades, concerns expressed by parents have often
been dismissed by food manufacturers and government as anecdotal and lacking
in scientific evidence, even though serious behavioural changes can cause
much distress in families until they are able to identify the cause of
the trouble and eliminate additive-laden foods from their children's diets.
This new study could have profound implications for the government's food and nutrition policy. As the researchers point out, 'the potential long-term public health benefit that might arise is indicated by the follow-up studies that have shown that the young hyperactive child is at risk of continuing behavioural difficulties including the transition to conduct disorder and educational difficulties'.
A group of 277 three-year-olds from the Isle of Wight took part in the research, which lasted one month. For two weeks, the children drank fruit juice dosed with 20mg in total of artificial colourings (E102, E110, E122, E124), and 45mg of preservative (E211). For the other two weeks, children drank a placebo fruit juice, identical in appearance, but without the additives. Parents then filled reports assessing behaviour such as 'interrupting', 'fiddling with objects', 'disturbing others', 'difficulty settling down to sleep', 'concentration' and 'temper tantrums'.
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The
researchers estimate that if the problem additives were removed
from all children's diets in the UK, the rate of hyperactivity
would go down from one child in six to one child in 17
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Analysis of the results showed that 'the impact of artificial food colourings and sodium benzoate preservative on three-year-old children's hyperactive behaviour indicate substantial effects detectable by parents'.
The researchers went
further, stating that 'significant changes in children's hyperactive behaviour
could be produced by the removal of colourings and additives from their
diet. The findings of the present study suggest that benefit would accrue
for all children from such a change and not just for those already showing
hyperactive behaviour or who are at risk of allergic reactions'.
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Avoiding the suspect additives
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Kids'
drink Yazoo boasts 'NO artificial sweeteners, NO preservatives'
but doesn't shout so loud about the colouring E124 which has been
added to give an impression of strawberry colour. Walkers use Tartrazine
to colour their Footballs snack and Smarties contain both Ponceau
4R and Sunset Yellow.
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The new research will strengthen parents' calls for the removal of problem additives from children's foods and drinks. We understand that the colourings tested in this research have been restricted in other countries, such as the US, Norway and Denmark, in order to protect children.
We believe these additives should be banned world-wide.
Meanwhile, products containing the problem additives are available in the UK. So how can parents avoid them?
The suspect additives tested in the Food Standards Agency study may be described on food labels either by their technical name, or by their 'E' number. These are the names and 'E' numbers to watch out for.
Colours
Tartrazine E102
Sunset Yellow E110
Carmoisine E122
Ponceau 4R E124
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate E211
Many children's foods and drinks contain additives. They are the colourings and flavourings that make these products especially attractive to children. A Food Commission survey showed that 38% of children's food contained additives, in products that were likely to form a large part of children's diets. The survey did not even include soft drinks, confectionery and chocolate, birthday cakes and crisps.
The Food Commission has long maintained that not only may these additives affect children's behaviour, they are often used to give cosmetic appeal to poor ingredients - depriving children of valuable nutrients. The Food Commission research found that additives in children's food, especially colourings and flavourings, are frequently used in products that are high in fat, salt and/or sugar, and low in nutritious ingredients. The survey found 41% of the children's food products were nutritionally very poor, but contained added colour.
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Research
published this year by the food firm Organix found colourings
were used in:
78% of children's desserts; 42% of children' milkshakes; 93% of children's sweets; 18% of cereal bars; 24% of children's cheeses; 23% of children's cereals; 14% of dried fruit packs; 41% of children's drinks; 32% of crisps and savoury snacks; 15% of children's frozen burgers.. |
A common defence for the use of colourings and other additives in children's food is that they have been shown to be toxicologically safe, so there is considered to be no problem. But behaviour change in children isn't one of the things toxicologists test for. A Food Standards Agency survey of colours used in sweets, published in April, looked only for evidence that companies were using colourings at their correct strength, and that they had complied with labelling regulations. However, our own analysis of the FSA survey results shows that over half (55 per cent) of the sweets tested contained the colourings shown by the present research to provoke behaviour change in toddlers.
The Food Commission has written to the FSA asking what action it will take to protect children from the problem additives, and whether guidance will be issued to food companies to remove these additives from children's food.
Useful resources
The Food Commission Guide to Food Additives summarises the problems in poster format and lists the suspect additives. Cost £2.50 incl.p&p.
The Food Magazine reports on children's food and drink and other food issues in the UK. An annual subscription costs £23.50 (individuals/non-profit) or £48.50 (corporate). Published every three months. More information at www.foodcomm.org.uk
The Food Commission's report Children's Food Examined: An analysis of 358 products targeted at children [2000] costs £25 incl.p&p.
Send order + cheque payable to The Food Commission to 'Publications, The Food Commission, 94 White Lion Street, London N1 9PF'. Tel: 020 7837 2250. Visit The Food Commission and get the facts on food and drink in the UK and find out about The Food Commission's other campaigns.
The Food Commission has prepared a table of over 200 popular children's foods and drinks containing the suspect additives. Click here to see the table (requires Adobe Acrobat Reader®, click the link below to get the free Acrobat Reader® software)
| The Hyperactive Children's Support Group has for many years considered that colours and preservatives can lead to behavioural changes in children. For further information, send a stamped addressed envelope to: The Hyperactive Children's Support Group (HACSG), 71 Whyke Lane, Chichester, West Sussex P019 7PD. The HACSG runs workshops at its London centre for professionals dealing with children suffering from hyperactivity or attention deficit disorder. Tel. 020 8946 4444. Web: www.hacsg.org.uk |
Do food additives cause hyperactivity and behaviour problems in a geographically defined population of 3-year-olds? (Project: T07004) £15 from The Food Standards Agency Library. Tel: 020 7276 8060.
The Children's Food Awards 2002