Dye Free Candy for Holiday Shopping (or everyday)!

If you are looking to buy dye-free candy for your holiday shopping check out The Natural Candy Store:  http://naturalcandystore.com/?a=cvGx2Z




They have everything from dye-free candy canes to chocolate Santas!  They also have an alternative to M and M's !!!

The Truth about Artificial Colors

    Recently I received a comment from one of my readers, Ms. Kim.  She wrote a testimonial of how she learned about artificial color sensitivity  by seeing a difference in her son after he ate foods with synthetic artificial colors.  She was, like many people, taught or believed that parents were just using artificial colors as an excuse for poor parenting.  However, she learned through keeping a careful journal of the foods her son was eating that artificial colors was the cause of his worst behavior and how removing the dyes from his diet eliminated the symptoms immediately.  To read more click on the link below.
http://reddyefree.blogspot.com/2010/02/is-your-child-out-of-control.html?showComment=1322770656145#c3467337198792711855
    The CSPI (Center for Science in the Public Interest) says the following, "There are also health reasons to be concerned about artificial colorings. The FDA has acknowledged that artificial food dyes, such as Red 40 and Yellow 5, trigger hyperactivity and behavioral problems in some children. CSPI has also highlighted the cancer risks associated with certain caramel colorings, Yellow 5, and Yellow 6, which are contaminated with carcinogens. In addition, some consumers are allergic to natural or synthetic color additives."  ( http://www.cspinet.org/new/201112081.html)  Please click on link to read more about artificial colors and how they decieve consumers.

Welch's 100% Juice is Not 100% Juice
Look at the ingredient label on the back.  It lists Red Dye 40 as one of the ingredients!  Why would you need to color real juice? 

Can you find Red 40 (Color) on the back of Welch's Ingredient List?

Apple & Eve Fruit Smarts has real ingredients and it is just as colorful!  The difference is that you are not drinking a synthetic artificial food dye.  This is the real deal. 

This is what I love to see:
Pledge of Purity:  This product is made with pure fruit juices.  There are no added sugars, preservatives, or artificial colors. 

Was there ever a day when juice was just juice?  Why do we have to, as consumers, watch out for dirty little tricks....like adding artificial colors to foods, drinks, beauty products, prescription drugs, over the counter medicines, and even health supplements.   The truth......
Money.  Colorful items sell and are cheaply made.  Don't be fooled into thinking or defending artificial colors - the majority in the food and drug industry would like you to believe they are important and necessary because it saves them money. 

Take a look at the Candy Canes in the Whole Foods Market made by tru sweets. They are colored with natural colors and SURPRISE - they look just as good!












Pure Fun Organic Candy Canes 
They look bright and yummy just like the Red Dye 40 colored ones without the harmful ingredients.

MYTH:  Without artificial colors, we would not have brightly colored foods.
TRUTH:  Natural food colors can be used as a healthy alternative.

MYTH:  Parents use artificial colors as an excuse for poor parenting.
TRUTH:  Artificial Synthetic Colors can cause behavioral problems in children and even adults who have a sensitivity to the dyes.

MYTH:  Artificial Colors are not harmful to the general public and FDA makes sure that we are not getting more than the recommended amounts of these dyes.
TRUTH:  Because artificial colors are now used in almost everything to make products either more appealing or to reduce production costs, there is no way of regulating how much of these dyes are being consumed by the consumer.  It is possible to get well over the recommended allowances for these artificial dyes.  CSPI has also highlighted the cancer risks associated with certain caramel colorings, Yellow 5, and Yellow 6, which are contaminated with carcinogens.
Artificial dyes can cause other health problems in some individuals:  hives, stomach aches, headaches, migraines, behavioral problems, depression, and aggression. 

MYTH:  Individuals who are sensitive to the dyes won't show reaction to just a little bit of artificial colors.
TRUTH:  Even a small amount has shown to cause behavioral problems in individuals sensitive to the dyes. 

    Today, more and more doctors are becoming aware and alerted to the harmful risks of artificial colors, whereas as early as 2009 they were still following the advice of the FDA and the American Academy of Pediatrics leaving parents like myself frustrated at the lack of scientific data to tell us what we already knew - artificial colors can create behavioral problems in children who are sensitive to the dyes.  It is a relief to see the change of awareness and hopefully the finger pointing on improper parenting will come to an end on this issue. 
   
    Today there are more products than ever that label their products with "No Artificial Colors."  The consumer demand is creating a push to more healthier foods.  It is a misconception that consumers have that foods need these synthetic artificial petroleum based dyes derived from coal tar to make our foods more interesting and fun to eat.  Natural food dyes can and should be used.  Companies can use artificial colors to disguise the fact that there is actually little or no fruit in the product that they are selling.  These dyes are cost efficient for the producer at your risk.  Companies may also try to put carmine in foods to enhance red colors, but this is derived from the cochineal bug.  Consumers need to be more aware than ever about what is being put into the foods in the market.  What saves the producer money could be costing you your health.    

FDA decides No Warning Necessary on Artificial Dyes- However, Consumer Choice can Change Market

  Parents who find the cause of their child's symptoms are buying foods without artificial colors and are not going to wait for the FDA to put warning labels on foods. We are not going to wait for someone to finally complete a very valid study so the FDA can say what we already know. It's about money, it's about consumer choice, but for me it's also about educating others. I was a parent who could not understand what was happening to my child and why no form of discipline would make a difference. I saw my child struggle with depression, a lower self-esteem, uncontrollable fits of anger, and a lack of friends. I was ignorant and unaware that artificial dyes could cause such a behavior change in my child. Two years of this without anyone telling me to look at the dyes my child was eating. Warning labels would have been helpful and saved valuable time with my child. Today he is a bright, sweet child, with the ability to manage his anger rationally like other kids his age. So studies or no studies, I am not buying it any longer. Money talks in this greedy world. That is the only way to make a change, although I hoped for the sake of others that some sort of warning was issued for the other children and adults suffering.
    MSNBC.Com health has the latest news on this subject and what the FDA decided.  It was a close vote 6-8.  Please click on the link below and add your comments.     
http://health.newsvine.com/_news/2011/03/31/6384389-fda-panel-no-warning-needed-on-food-dye?threadId=3093106&commentId=52954750#c52954750

The Red Dye Free Store has Easter Stuffers without Red Dye 40!

    I just updated the Red Dye Free Store so that it would be easier to find Easter Basket stuffers without all of the harmful artificial dyes.  If you click on the Red Dye Free Store link  http://astore.amazon.com/re05f-20, it will take you directly to the store.  I included items like candy, stuffed toys, Webkinz Easter stuffed animals, fun and inexpensive toys, and many other fun items to explore! 

 Photo of Webkinz for sale in Red Dye Free Store! 

    Your child can have everything and more without the harmful artificial dyes that are being consumed so abundantly today.  Do the ingredients in your Easter candy look something like this?  “Sugar, Partially Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil (Palm Kernel Oil and/or Palm Oil), Whey, Cocoa, Lactose, Skim Milk, Soy Lecithin, Vanillin, Artificial Colors (Blue #1, Blue #2, Red #40, Yellow #5, Yellow #6 & Red #3). May contain Peanuts/Nuts.”   Look at all of the artificial colors in just one Palmer Bunny!  Artificial colors such as these are derived from petroleum- a coal tar.  Some children are very sensitive to these dyes.  Some children may experience hives, migraines, stomach aches, and hyper-activity (to name a few).  Some children are very sensitive to red dye 40 and it effects their behavior drastically and they become defiant and even belligerent.  It is important that parents are aware because staying away from these dyes can change their relationship with their child who is sensitive to the dyes and they can enjoy who they really are.
    I wish everyone a very Happy Easter and may it be very Happy!  :)

Are you kidding me???

    I recently did a blog about how Domino's Pizza uses yellow dye for their new crust and all of a sudden Domino's started advertising on my site!  I wouldn't mind if they didn't use artificial dyes but now I will have to block them from further advertisements until (hopefully) they change their menu.  Did they do that on purpose???  It is pretty ironic.  :)  Lately, I find that advertisements (even after they are blocked) slip in under a slightly different name so that they can (in my opinion) try to discredit a person's site.
    So if you are really into eating foods with artificial dyes that are made of petroleum and you don't mind that they can potentially cause cancer or behavioral problems in some individuals, than feel free to click on their advertisement and use their coupons, but I won't be eating it until they put healthier ingredients in their menu.  There really isn't any need to color pizza ingredients with artificial dyes anyways, right??  

Great News Moms and Dads! Another snack for your kids that switched to natural colors!!!

    Recently I received a comment from Kate saying that Pepperidge Farm Goldfish Crackers with Colors now is made with natural colors instead of the synthetic dyes it previously had.  I am always glad to update my food list regarding which foods do not have artificial colors.   From the Pepperidge Farm Goldfish Crackers newsroom, White has the following to say:  “With the scrutiny surrounding artificial colors in foods, we were thrilled to be able to make this change in our Goldfish Colors crackers and introduce Goldfish Colors Neon using the same formula."  I am so thrilled about their switch that I dedicate this post to Pepperidge Farms for delivering healthier options for our children.  Thank you Pepperidge Farms and thank you Kate for the update!!!
*Remember always read the ingredients to make sure that you are getting what you think you are. 

Advertisements on Blog???

    Months ago I added advertisements on my blog.  My reasoning is that it might show more businesses who choose dye-free products or who use products with natural food coloring like beets or tumeric.  Some of the advertisements have been pretty interesting and go right along with the blog, but others have unfortunately slipped through my filtering system and advertise products in which Red Dye Free! would not endorse.  Please keep that in mind if you find an advertisement worth clicking on - that it may include artificial dyes that are harmful.  I hope that you find some of the advertisements (with dye-free products) worthwhile and maybe even helpful. 

Halloween is almost here! Did you get your dye-free candy?

No Artificial Colors!

Did you know that artificial coloring can cause behavior problems in children? 

     Halloween is almost here!  It's time to stock up on candy.  Have you noticed how kids seem to get crazy after school Halloween parties?  Perhaps that is why so many smart teachers choose to have their parties close to the end of the school day.  Most people don't realize that it might not be just the sugar causing hyperactivity, but the artificial dyes that are prevalent in so many foods, drinks, candies, and virtually everything that can be consumed.  Many children are sensitive to these dyes and react in many different ways - hyperactivity, depression, headaches, aggression, and a decrease in motor coordination.  Why not stock up on candy that has natural ingredients as oppossed to candy that has synthetic artificial colors derived from petro-chemicals.  Help to make this a Happy Halloween for everyone!!!
     You can shop for Halloween Candy at The Red Dye Free Store and you can buy in bulk.  Happy Halloween!!!! 

Finally - An Online Store to find Red Dye Free Products!

    I have found that more and more people have been looking for products without Red dye 40 and other harmful synthetic dyes.  That is why The Red Dye Free Store was created -.  I have used many of the products listed and have found them to be a worthy alternative to the products with harmful dyes.  My kids love the Pure Fun candies and the Surf Sweets!  These would be great to have on stock at Doctor offices and anywhere treats are given out to kids.  This would help to eliminate the dye-induced behavior that so many children experience after consuming artificial dyes.  In newer studies, some of these dyes have been linked to cancer.  The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) has been America's Watch Dog for years in trying to get these dyes banned.  That is why The Red Dye Free store was created - to help you find the products that do not have these harmful dyes.  The Red Dye Free Store has everything - candy, toothpaste, books, vitamins, health snacks, etc.  (The store will be updated frequently so check back with us.) 

Whole Foods Market has many Red-Dye-Free foods we Love!

    When shopping for dye-free products, I found that Whole Foods Market had a wide variety to choose from.  My children enjoy, on occassion, the gummy bears, lollipops, and poptarts that are made without artificial dyes.  We order all of our birthday cakes from them and find them more delicious than the artificially colored cakes.   I would highly recommend these cakes for children's birthday parties because it is very likely that a few children are sensitive to the artificial dyes in other cakes.  It would help to eliminate the hyper-active mood swings that might follow.   The Whole Foods Market has much more to offer.  I only wish that we had a Whole Foods Market in our community.