Red dye No. 3 is prohibited, but what about other food colorings? : shot

When the FDA announced its ban on food coloring Red No. 3 this week, the agency pointed to a law that prevents food additives from being approved if they are found to cause cancer. And studies have shown that Red No. 3 can cause cancer in laboratory rats when exposed to high levels.

Food companies are still years away from eliminating petroleum-based Red No. 3 from their products. There are also all sorts of different colored synthetic food colors on the market.

Some evidence indicates that these synthetic dyes can have negative effects on children’s behavior and mental health.

So how should parents manage this food supply? Here are some things to consider.

How do I know if red #3 is bait?

A bright cherry red color is your first clue that the product may contain Red No. 3, but you should check the ingredient label. The FDA requires food manufacturers to list Red No. 3 and other synthetic colors on ingredient labels. Red No. 3 may be referred to as “FD&C Red No. 3,” “FD&C Red No. 3,” or simply “Red No. 3.” As Red Dye No. 3 is being phased out, Red Dye No. 40 may be used in its place.

What are the health concerns with Red No. 3 and other food colorings?

The FDA’s ban was prompted by evidence that high doses caused cancer in lab rats, but there are also concerns that Red No. 3 and other synthetic food colors may affect some children. .

When the California Environmental Protection Agency reviewed a series of studies on synthetic dyes in 2021, it found evidence that dyes in foods can negatively impact children’s behavior. Of the approximately 25 studies, more than half found a positive association between the consumption of artificial colors and behavioral outcomes such as inattention and hyperactivity.

How widespread is the use of Red No. 3 in food?

Contained in many foods. The Environmental Working Group has compiled a list of more than 3,000 consumer products that contain Red No. 3, including everything from fruit cocktails to flavored milks, cake mixes and candy.

The group says it updates its list regularly, as manufacturers often reformulate their products. Label information is provided by Label INSIGHT, a company that compiles ingredient information for foods sold in American supermarkets.

How long will it take for food to run out?

Food manufacturers must eliminate Red No. 3 from their products by January 2027. However, some manufacturers may be able to reformulate more quickly.

In light of regulations in many parts of the world and a new California law aimed at limiting the use of Red No. 3 and other synthetic food colors, some companies are already looking for alternatives.

But consumer groups are concerned that some food companies may replace Red 3 with Red 40, which has also been linked to behavioral problems in children.

The Center for Science in the Public Interest, which filed the petition to ban Red No. 3, is asking the FDA to put warning labels on products containing other synthetic food colors.

Some companies are working to create natural food coloring from compounds found in plants such as beetroot and the blue-green algae spirulina. Kraft Foods decided a decade ago to remove synthetic food colors from its macaroni and cheese products, replacing them with colors derived from spices such as paprika and turmeric.

Red No. 3 is also used in medicines such as acetaminophen. Pharmaceutical companies must eliminate dyes from their products by January 2028.

What other food colorings are causing concern?

Last year, California passed a second law after a thorough review of existing evidence linking synthetic dyes to neurobehavioral problems in children. The bill would ban six other synthetic food colors, including Blue No. 1, Green No. 3, and Red No. 40, from meals served in public schools.

Eugene Arnold, a child and adolescent psychiatrist at Ohio State University, said there is stronger evidence for some dyes than others. For example, Yellow No. 5, also known as tartrazine, is thought to be associated with irritability, restlessness, and depression in some children. Evidence from animal studies shows that some synthetic food dyes can affect memory and learning.

Additionally, while not banned, European Union countries have issued health warnings on foods containing Red No. 40 and other synthetic dyes that “may have a negative impact on children’s activity and alertness.” is required to be displayed.

Should parents avoid all synthetic colors in their child’s food?

Dr. Jennifer Wu Beidel, an associate professor of pediatrics at Stanford University and a member of the American Board of Nutrition, says that even if your child comes home from a birthday party with bright blue icing around their mouth, “ Don’t panic.” Academy of Pediatrics.

She advises parents to limit their children’s intake of foods containing artificial colors as much as possible, “but in small amounts, it probably won’t cause any problems or break down.” she says. Try to do it once in a while, not on a daily basis.

Instead, focus on your child’s overall eating pattern, she says. The majority of their diet should consist of fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains. And avoid sugary drinks. This is good general nutrition advice.

Foods containing artificial colors are often high in sugar, such as ultra-processed drinks, juices, snacks, and candy. The American Academy of Pediatrics has long advised parents to limit these foods in their children’s diets for other reasons as well.

But the occasional bright orange cheesy puff is nothing to worry about.

This article was edited by Jane Greenhalgh