Are Food Dyes Fueling Kids' Hyperactivity? Or not?

[ADM]

http://www.abcnews.go.com/Health/story?id=4988343&page=1

"Aunt Jemima Blueberry Waffles are blue, but not from blueberries. Kraft Mac and Cheese is yellow, but not from the cheese. Fruity Pebbles, Fruit Roll-Ups, Pop Tarts? They all contain chemical food dyes."

[JanetB]

YES!

I never really thought about where and in what food dye was in before I had a child with hyperactivity issues. I thought we ate pretty good - but when one examined it - even plain "food" has food dye in it. Why? Add all of the preservatives, etc - and we have changed our "food" into synthetic food.

Even organic/all natural prepared foods have flavor enhancers that really don't need to be in there. Over the past year - I have not only gone organic - but I have almost stopped buying all processed foods. I have seen major improvements in my child - that will likely keep him off ADHD meds. If my child has food dyes or some preservatives (like MSG) he will turn bright red and will literally be running laps or jumping up and down with energy within 30 minutes. He is not allergic to them - I have had allergy tests done - but he reacts!!

I find it irritating that the doctor in that article suggested that one could just buy products without dyes, etc. It isn't a simple process - and it is hard to convince one's child that he cannot have what others can. I have actually been asked to leave a movie theater because I brought my kid his own popcorn - organic air popped from home. I met with the manager (with my crying kid in tow) after and worked it out that I actually wasn't trying to just make them lose a buck - that the child just couldn't eat it and still come to the movies.

Excuse my rant. .. can you tell this gets to me!!

[KristiB]

The Center for Science in the Public Interest today called on the Food and Drug Administration to ban artificial coloring in all U.S. foods

It would be interesting to see what the food really looks like wouldn't it?

[lindrusso]

M&Ms and such don't have artificial dyes outside the U.S.? Are they colored with natural dyes are not colored at all?

I'm generally all for getting rid of these kinds of additives, but it's hard to imagine the candy world without all those bright, pretty colors! :)

[Lrimerman]

YES!

I never really thought about where and in what food dye was in before I had a child with hyperactivity issues. I thought we ate pretty good - but when one examined it - even plain "food" has food dye in it. Why? Add all of the preservatives, etc - and we have changed our "food" into synthetic food.

Even organic/all natural prepared foods have flavor enhancers that really don't need to be in there. Over the past year - I have not only gone organic - but I have almost stopped buying all processed foods. I have seen major improvements in my child - that will likely keep him off ADHD meds. If my child has food dyes or some preservatives (like MSG) he will turn bright red and will literally be running laps or jumping up and down with energy within 30 minutes. He is not allergic to them - I have had allergy tests done - but he reacts!!

I find it irritating that the doctor in that article suggested that one could just buy products without dyes, etc. It isn't a simple process - and it is hard to convince one's child that he cannot have what others can. I have actually been asked to leave a movie theater because I brought my kid his own popcorn - organic air popped from home. I met with the manager (with my crying kid in tow) after and worked it out that I actually wasn't trying to just make them lose a buck - that the child just couldn't eat it and still come to the movies.

Excuse my rant. .. can you tell this gets to me!!

I am right there with you. We take popcorn to the movies too and sometimes it is an issue. However, the first time we took my daughter to a movie and bought her popcorn (6 or so years ago) her mouth swelled up and burned and her lips and around her mouth looked chapped and burned for a few days, we had to leave the theatre. She reacts to something they put in popcorn (she can't have it from microwave bags or like target, etc., they all do it to her!!). We make hot air popped, organic with a bit of sea salt on it at home and she is fine.

Lisa

[generic]

I don't have kids, but I thank you, ADM, for posting. What an interesting article. This is something I hadn't heard about, and I can't help wondering what effect these dyes have on us as adults as well.

JanetB, your experiences with your child are very telling! I'm glad for you that you've at least found a solution of sorts, frustrating as it has been.

[AvrilH]

i have a friend who has two kids with a food-dye allergy (their reaction is lose all emotional control and bladder control). They used to spend a lot of time at my house, and I started reading all labels for food dye.

It is, in fact, in EVERYTHING.

My friend had a long-standing theory that a huge number of children with behavioral issues were suffering from the same sensitivities as her son. Until they eliminated food dyes, he was OUT OF CONTROL. He was being tested for autism, ADD, ADHD and everything else you can think of. One doc told them to eliminate dye....... 3 days later he was a different child.

I hope the studies continue, and the availability of foods without dye increases.

[aiemster]

I am a first grade teacher and have been for eight years now and I know the food, dye included, is what makes 13 of my 22 students somewhere on the ADHD spectrum. We are now a healthy snacks only school and even with that simple change the students are slightly better.

Amy