The latest research into the effect of food additives on children's behaviour confirms what many parents already believed – there is a link between the amount of food additives our children eat and how they behave. We’ve seen the effects in the aftermath of a cinema trip, where the young party-goers have downed large fizzy soft drinks and dozens of pick and mix sweets.
Researchers at Southampton University tested combinations of artificial colourings and a preservative (sodium benzoate E211) that the average child might consume in a day to measure what effect they had on behaviour. The colours, tested on both three-year-olds and eight-to-nine year olds in the new study, were tartrazine (E102), ponceau 4R (E124), sunset yellow (E110), carmoisine (E122), quinoline yellow (E104) and allura red AC (E129).
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Their results supported findings first made seven years ago that also linked these same additives to behavioural problems, such as temper tantrums, poor concentration and hyperactivity, and to allergic reactions. These studies were both commissioned by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) in the UK.
Although these additives are widely used in Ireland and the UK and are approved as safe and legal by the EU, some of the colours are banned in Scandinavian countries and the US.
The take-out message for us, the parents, is that we need to read the food label and where possible avoid or limit these additives, especially if we have children that are prone to hyperactivity or allergy.
The take-out message for the food industry is that consumers will vote with their feet and it makes good sense in the light of this research, to either remove these colours from children’s snacks and drinks, or to find alternative natural colours which don’t adversely affect children’s behaviour.
What about the occasional treat?
Instead of the iced lollies containing these colours, make your own with 100% natural fruit juices like apple or orange. Instead of unlabelled cheap brightly coloured sweets, steer them towards mini bars of chocolate or sweets without artificial additives. Instead of fizzy soft drinks, offer them water, cold milk or a diluted fruit juice.
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