Do you know which cereal contains banned artificial colourings?
He jumped down from his seat, grabbed the metal pole with one hand and started swinging his body round it. Shrieking and laughing, he looked triumphantly at his captive audience as if expecting them to applaud his acrobatics.
Most of them were trying hard to ignore him. Those who failed, looked angry and disgusted.
Not satisfied with this muted response and possibly bored again, he punched the boy beside him. Finally his father couldn’t ignore him anymore. He pulled the 6 year-old onto his lap and started slapping his butt.
Screams filled the entire carriage.
The Reign of Hyperactive Kids
This scene should be familiar to many commuters – hyperactive kids, helpless parents and disgusted commuters.
For the longest time, i was vexed by this phenomenon. When i was growing up, i hardly saw kids running wild in public. Even if they did, one grunt from either parent usually stops the marauder dead in his tracks.
Why are there so many hyperactive kids nowadays? I’m convinced the answer lies in one or both of the following: bad upbringing, media and diet.
Hyperactive Kids and Artificial Colourings
A recent study conducted by the University of Southampton found that certain artificial colourings may worsen the behaviour of children with behavioural problems such as ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder).
The colourings in question:
1. Tartrazine (E102) / FD&C Yellow No. 5
Yellow colouring. Used in confectionary, cotton candy, soft drinks, instant puddings, flavored chips (Doritos, Nachos etc), cereals (corn flakes, muesli etc), cake mixes, pastries, custard powder, soups (particularly instant or “cube” soup), sauces, some rice (like paella, risotto etc), Kool-Aid, Mountain Dew, Gatorade, ice cream, candy, chewing gum, marzipan, jam, jelly, gelatins, marmalade, mustard, horseradish, yogurt, noodles, pickled products, fruit cordial.
To be phased out in the UK by end 2009. Still approved by FDA for use in food.
2. Quinoline yellow (E104) / FD&C Yellow No. 10
Greenish-yellow colouring. Made from coal tar. Used in scotch eggs and smoked haddock.
To be phased out in the UK by end 2009. Banned by FDA for use in food but approved for use in cosmetics (e.g. lipsticks) and medications.
3. Sunset yellow (E110) / FD&C Yellow No. 6
Used in orange squash, orange jelly, marzipan, Swiss roll, apricot jam, citrus marmalade, lemon curd, sweets, hot chocolate mix and packet soups, breadcrumbs, cheese sauce, ice cream, canned fish, and many medications.
To be phased out in the UK by 2009. Still approved by FDA for use in food.
4. Carmoisine (E122) / No FD&C equivalent
Red colouring. Used in marzipan, Swiss roll, jams and preserves, sweets, brown sauce, flavoured yogurts, packet soups, jellies, breadcrumbs and cheesecake mixes.
To be phased out in the UK by end 2009. Unknown status in the US.
5. Ponceau 4R (E124) / No FD&C equivalent
Red colouring. Synthesized from coal tar. May induce allergic reactions in some people. Considered carcinogenic in some countries. Used in dessert toppings, jelly, salami, seafood dressings, tinned strawberries and fruit pie fillings and packeted cake mixes, cheesecakes, soups and trifles.
To be phased out in the UK by end 2009. Supposedly banned by FDA for use in food.
6. Allura Red AC (E129) / FD&C Red No.40
Orange/red colouring. Derived from coal tar. Used in sweets, drinks and condiments, medications and cosmetics.
To be phased out in the UK by end 2009. Still approved by FDA for use in food.
Red 2G and Cancer
Red 2G (E128) was not covered in the Southampton study. It is a red colouring used in sausages and burger meats.
Studies found that it produced aniline, a carcinogen, when consumed.
It was banned in the UK since Jul 2007. Supposedly banned by FDA for use in food.
A Warning to all Parents
F&N Groovy Grape - not so groovy if you know what's inside it
1. F&N Seasons Chrysanthemum Tea (contains Tartrazine)
2. F&N Groovy Grape (contains Tartrazine)
3. F&N Flashy Fruitade (contains Tartrazine)
4. Mirinda Green Apple (contains Tartrazine and Brilliant Blue E133 – a synthetic colour made from coal tar often mixed with Tartrazine to make green)
5. Mirinda Orange (contains Sunset Yellow)
6. Nestle Milk & Berry Stars (contains Allura Red AC)
These offenders are typically more colourful than others.
But products with natural-looking colours may also contain artificial colourings. Why? To make them look natural.
Most products simply indicated “permitted colourings” on their labels. God knows what goes inside them.
So my advice to all parents: if the amount of sugar inside these products doesn’t turn you off, think about the man-made colourings added to them.
Avoid them and you may be taking a small step towards taming your hyperactive kids.
