Don't feed me artificial colors either!

           Squawk!!!

You'll be sorry!!Or else! 

This is our sweet little conure.  I accidentally bought a supplemental fruit snack that looked completely organic, but it suprisingly had artifical colors.  After a week of crazy squawking and fierce biting from our beloved bird, I looked at the one thing I changed recently - the fruit supplement! I threw away the bag and this morning we have our sweet bird back!  No more evil biting, squawking, or odd behavior (like wanting to stay in his cage instead of playing with us).  I think it's time the pet industry looks into this.  It can't be good for these little critters either.  

Interesting!

   After reading a recent article, I was amazed at how far the industry has changed in removing artificial colors and the awareness of how harmful these ingredients really are. I encourage everyone to read the article below.  

 

David Kresser who is the FDA commissioner tells us first hand about the FDA's weak requirements for approving additives in our foods and how other countries ban the same ingredients that the FDA allows in ours. 

http://missoulian.com/lifestyles/food-and-cooking/flash-in-the-pan-fda-s-compromised-approval-process/article_8be75c72-dfc2-5f6f-897a-f978d7d3ab1b.html

Bye Bye Red Dye!!!

  Great News - Nestle is removing all artificial dyes and colors from its chocolate candies!!!
Below is the link to the article from Fox News:
http://www.foxreno.com/news/features/top-stories/stories/goodbye-artificial-colors-5205.shtml#.VPthCktvo4s

No Artificial Colors!
Bye bye….
Red dye 40, Yellow #5, Blue #1 ……….


   
    Thanks to the efforts of the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) and the demand from the public for healthier food options, we have all persuaded a major food giant to change its ingredients.  It doesn't stop here.  They plan to take it out of other food products based on the results of public opinion and demand.  This will lead to other major food companies being persuaded to remove artificial colors in their products.  This gives our children more choices!  

    Keep reading the food labels and look for products without artificial colors.  Let them know that we don't like having harmful artificial colors in our diet.  These artificial colors can cause behavioral problems in those susceptible to them.  Why have them in our foods?  They are only a cheap alternative for manufacturers to make cheap unhealthy products.  Remember money talks!  Buy the products that do not have artificial colors in them and more products will be made to satisfy the demand.   

Studies Reveal Artificial Colors can have a Negative Effect on Children's Behavior

     Finally, in the year 2014, what many parents have realized but were criticized for, the negative effects of artificial colors on children's behavior has finally been validated with research.  Also, many major food companies have recently taken out artificial colors from their products.  The real change and the factors leading this major movement is consumer demand.  We all have the power to influence change - whether we buy the food or not is a choice.  That choice determines whether or not manufacturers will continue to use harmful ingredients at the expense of our children, or to formulate healthier ingredients in their products.
*See the last link below to help make a difference*      


Below is a compilation of some of the latest research on Artificial colors with quotes following each link.    

/Artificial Food Colors and Attention Deficit/ Hyperactivity Symtoms/ Conclusions to Dye For

"AFCs are not a major cause of ADHD per se, but seem to affect children regardless of whether or not they have ADHD, and they may have an aggregated effect on classroom climate if most children in the class suffer a small behavioral decrement with additive or synergistic effects."


Are artificial food colorings worse for kids than sugar?
"A handful of clinical trials found that a small percentage of children experience attention problems and agressive behavior when they consume 35 mg a day of synthetic coloring, while a larger percentage experiences behavioral problems at doses of 100 mg a day or higher."

Purdue-study-Artificial dyes highest in beverages, cereal, and candy
"New research from Purdue University scientists has revealed the dye content of scores of packaged food products, some of which contain more than the 35 mg per serving that has been shown in certain trials to affect behavior among a small percentage of children."

First-ever Study Reveals Amounts of Food Dyes in Artificial Foods
"According to the nonprofit Center for Science in the Public Interest, the findings are disturbing since the amounts of dyes found in even single servings of numerous foods—or combinations of several dyed foods—are higher than the levels demonstrated in some clinical trials to impair some children's behavior."


FDA Study on Artificial Colors:
http://www.fda.gov/downloads/AdvisoryCommittees/CommitteesMeetingMaterials/FoodAdvisoryCommittee/UCM273033.pdf

LOblaw, major food producers move away from artificial colouring
"Mounting public concern has spurred several major companies to remove dyes from some of their foods. Kraft has removed the artificial yellow dye from some of its signature mac and cheese products, and General Mills has removed dyes from Trix and Yoplait Go-Gurt."

Petition - M&M Candies   "I also found out that many families were using an “elimination diet” to isolate and remove harmful ingredients -- particularly artificial dyes. By removing dyes like those found in M&M's, they were able to delay, reduce, and sometimes eliminate the need for medication."

Help to Ban Artificial Colors!

    Artificial colors are harmful!  They are used in almost every type of product today.  While producers claim that they use only the smallest amount of safe and approved food colors it is no relief to those who are sensitive to the dyes.  Artificial colors are derived from petroleum.  Some people are even allergic to the dyes and causes them to break out in hives - while others' reactions are even much more serious.  They can cause hyperactivity in some children, behavioral problems, depression, migraines, stomach aches, an increase in Tics (Tourette's Syndrome) and even cancer.


 

   

                     Happy Halloween!  

       Halloween can get a little tricky when your trying to stear clear of artificial colors, but I found some candy that won't even spook you!  It's called UNREAL and it stands up to it's name for sure.  The candy made by UNREAL is what they call - Unjunked.  No Artificial Colors, No Hydrogenateds, No Corn Syrups, No Preservatives, and No GMOs.  It has something unique as well - nutrition!  (5g of Fiber, 5g of Protein, 90mg of Sodium, 12g of Fat, and 17g of sugar, 200 Calories in a UNREAL Chocolate Caramel Peanut Nougat Bar)  What's more is that it tastes great!
      UNREAL has so many different candies to choose from.  They turned some of the classic candies into something deserving to give to your kids and you!  Don't be deceived by the nutrition label because it still tastes like candy.  I am not an advertiser for them or affiliated with them in any way.  They gave me some free candy to try and my family liked it so much that I'm returning the favor.  Thank You UNREAL for the box of candy and for making our Halloween a happy one!  

  
   http://getunreal.com/unreal-candy/?gclid=CO3JprivnbMCFQkFnQodHF8Aqg

Where is the Scientific Research linking Behavior to Red Dye 40???

I recently got a comment from someone who was very unhappy about not showing enough scientific research to educate people about the harmful nature of synthetic dyes and the harmful effects on behavior.  Here is the comment I received, ...

   "I hope everyone realizes that testimonials are NOT SCIENCE. Those these stories are touching, they do not prove Red 40 caused anything. I'm interested in the science. Are there peer reviewed scientific papers that link Red 40 to behavioural issues. If so, please post so that I may learn something and take actions if necessary. If not, then all this testimonial stuff is pure junk. DO NOT TAKE MEDICAL/NUTRITIONAL ADVICE FROM TESTOMINIALS. USE SCIENCE!!!I hope everyone realizes that testimonials are NOT SCIENCE. Those these stories are touching, they do not prove Red 40 caused anything. I'm interested in the science. Are there peer reviewed scientific papers that link Red 40 to behavioural issues. If so, please post so that I may learn something and take actions if necessary. If not, then all this testimonial stuff is pure junk. DO NOT TAKE MEDICAL/NUTRITIONAL ADVICE FROM TESTOMINIALS. USE SCIENCE!!!"


So, in my attempt to include some scientific evidence I wrote the following comments:    
"The New York Times published an article in September 2007, reporting on a study published in the Lancet and funded by Britain's Food Standards Agency that had “conclusively and scientifically confirmed a link between food additives and hyperactivity.”
Read more: http://technorati.com/women/article/artificial-colors-linked-to-behavioral-problems/#ixzz1qQdyhlBY 

Here is a little more on that:  http://blog.advantig.net/2009/10/why-advantig-products-dont-contain-artificial-colors-preservatives/ 

"Despite concerns with the British study, European lawmakers now require a warning label on foods that contain artificial dyes. It lets parents know their kids might become hyperactive if they consume the product." http://www.npr.org/2011/03/30/134962888/fda-probes-link-between-food-dyes-kids-behavior
"Some of the studies are difficult or imperfect. ... But there is this body of literature that does suggest that food colorings are not as benign as people have been led to believe."
- Andrew Adesman, developmental and behavioral pediatrics expert

Here is more information and maybe more than you would like to read...
http://nah.sagepub.com/content/3/3/137.full.pdf+html
As you can see the scientific research on this subject has left many people uneasy on this subject. While we wait for the scientific research to formulate a very valid study, we are not going to idly sit by and watch our children (those who are sensitive to the dyes) become affected by these artificial colors. Removing the dyes from our child's diet proved a direct correlation to behavioral changes after consuming the artificial coloring (namely red dye 40 for our son).



"Research on pediatric behaviors can be difficult and expensive to conduct since it often involves regular and subjective assessments of children by parents and teachers who should be kept in the dark about the specifics of the test. And since the patents on the dyes expired long ago, manufacturers have little incentive to finance such research themselves." By GARDINER HARRIS
Published: March 29, 2011 http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/30/health/policy/30fda.html


Today, after more research, I found this...... 
[PPT] Food Dyes & Behavior


What angers me most about the harmful nature of artificial colors is the lack of scientific research.  While we wait for the scientific community to catch up, I plan to take action and buy products that do not contain these synthetic dyes.  After all, scientifically would anyone think that consuming petroleum products are beneficial?  What is the recommended limit of consuming these dyes?  Well, it's in virtually everything that can be produced these days so whether you are aware of it or not the American population is consuming more than the recommended limit.  

The Easter Bunny brings my kids dye-free candy!!!

Hippity, Hoppity, Easter's on it's way and the Easter Bunny is bringing my kids dye-free candy again - I'm sure of it!!!  In case you are wondering how the Easter Bunny makes dye-free candy,  you can find the same types of special candy and chocolates at the Natural Candy Store www.naturalcandystore.com, The Whole Foods Market, Trader Joes, or The Red Dye Free Store (on this blog).  




 Our family makes Easter Eggs colored with Natural Dyes.  Better Homes and Gardens magazine had an article in the April 2012 issue about dyeing Easter eggs - "just simmer beets or apple peals.....soak the eggs from a few minutes to overnight to get an array of hues."  Look up BHG.com/eggdye to find out how to make more colors.  They have a printable guide to natural egg dyes from blue to pink!  

   You can also buy some food dyes
like this one.  We bought India Tree Natural Decorating colors a few years ago, but I need to buy more to keep on hand.  We bought this dye from The Whole Foods Market.  We used it to color our Easter Eggs and they came out very pastel colored - not the bright colored dye that you buy in the little kits that turn even the egg on the inside colors!  We like to avoid consuming artificial colors and we also enjoy the natural colors.  


I hope you all have a Happy Easter!