The European Union has mandated that food products must clearly indicate the presence of harmful artificial colors that may trigger hyperactivity in children. Starting July 20, products containing such synthetic colors, including chewing gums, soft drinks, and bakery decorations, must carry a warning that they may have a negative impact on children’s activity and attention.
At the same time, food from organic farming must not contain artificial colors, as stipulated by European Union regulations. A prominent warning about the harmfulness to children must be present on all products containing yellow azo dyes tartrazine (E102), sunset (E 110), and quinoline (E104); as well as red carmoisine (E122), ponceau 4R (E124), and allura (E129). Regulators have long suspected that these colors cause allergic reactions, and a British study, among others, has shown that the consumption of a combination of azo dyes can lead to hyperactivity and attention deficit in children. (www.hrt.hr)
