Food coloring is used to make fruit cereals more colorful, candies brighter, and processed food look more like real food. Food scientists and public health advocates say consumption of food coloring has more than doubled since 1990 and for 30 years scientists have suspected a link between hyperactivity and food dyes. An advisory panel to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) replied recently to a 2008 petition filed by the Center for Science in the Public Interest to ban Yellow 5, Red 40, and six other food colorings, reports The San Francisco Chronicle.
One mother testified to the panel that eliminating food dyes from the diet of her 7-year-old resulted in a dramatic behavior changes and better grades. The FDA agrees that certain children are particularly susceptible to the effects of food dyes. The advisory committee had the option of recommending more study on the link to attention deficit disorder, better labels on foods that contain food colorings, or do nothing at all. In a concession to the food industry, on Thursday, March 31, the panel voted that the issue needs more study and that labels on foods with artificial dyes will not be necessary at this time, according to The Boston Herald.
Interestingly, European consumers have said no to food dyes and manufacturers have responded by using fewer dyes in food sold in Europe.
Consumers injured by dangerous or defective foods may have some remedy through the courts if they can prove the connection between an injury and the food consumed. For the most vulnerable, children and those immune compromised or the elderly, a food contamination sickness can result in severe injury or death. E. coli and salmonella contamination cases have resulted in successful litigation outcomes for the injured consumer and ultimately litigation discourages food manufacturers from sub-standard food safety practices.
The Florida product liability attorneys of Farah & Farah will investigate the source of your injury and may be able to hold the responsible party accountable for your medical bills, the cost of rehabilitation, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
