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.    

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!  :)