August 13, 2025

Ep. 371: The Surprising Consequences of Synthetic Dyes with Whitney & Brandon Cawood

1 hour 37 minutes

This episode is brought to you by Cozy Earth, one of HeHe’s favorite things to have on hand for a comfy pregnancy and postpartum period! Use code HEHE for 40% off the softest PJ’s, loungewear, or even new sheets to make your pregnancy and postpartum feel a little more luxurious.

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In this episode of The Birth Lounge Podcast, I’m sitting down with Whitney and Brandon Cawood to uncover the hidden ways synthetic food dyes can impact your child’s health and behavior. We’re talking real-life symptoms like irritability, hyperactivity, sleep struggles, and even aggression — and the science that backs it up. Whitney and Brandon share their powerful story of discovering their son’s sensitivity to dyes, the huge transformation they saw after removing them, and how that journey turned into advocacy work.

We’re pulling back the curtain on industry resistance, why the FDA has been slow to act, and what legislation is (and isn’t) doing to protect families. You’ll get practical tips for spotting dyes in your pantry, finding dye-free swaps, and trusting your gut when it comes to your child’s health — even if the experts say otherwise. This is your crash course in advocating for your kids, one grocery trip at a time.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to Synthetic Dyes and Their Effects

01:07 Welcome to The Birth Lounge Podcast

01:37 The Secret Sauce to Pushing Course

02:00 Understanding the Anatomy of Pushing

04:06 Challenges in the Hospital System

05:26 A World Without Synthetic Food Dyes

07:17 How Synthetic Dyes Affect Children

10:24 The Cawood Family’s Story

17:12 Raising Awareness & Building Community

31:06 Genetics & Dye Sensitivity

34:35 The Push for Legislation & Safer Alternatives

37:03 The Health Toll of Synthetic Dyes

38:11 FDA Inaction & Public Pressure

41:23 Fighting for Education & Awareness

45:51 Barriers for Low-Income Families

48:14 Removing Harmful Chemicals from Daily Life

50:51 Why They Made a Documentary

52:25 Trust Issues with Regulatory Agencies

54:54 How Prevalent Synthetic Dyes Really Are

01:02:36 Easy Dye-Free Swaps

01:05:14 Industry Resistance to Change

01:07:55 State Efforts & Corporate Pushback

01:09:10 Empty Corporate Promises

01:12:25 The Worst Offending Dyes

01:17:42 Decoding Dye Labels

01:23:33 Parental Advocacy in a Broken System

01:31:54 Resources & Final Thoughts

BIO:

After discovering their child’s sensitivity to synthetic dyes, Brandon and Whitney Cawood, parents-turned-filmmakers, embarked on a journey to uncover the hidden impacts of these additives. Their documentary combines scientific insights and personal stories from affected families, revealing the unseen dangers of synthetic dyes. Through expert interviews and heartfelt narratives, the Cawoods aim to raise awareness of the profound effects these chemicals can have on individuals and families alike. Since beginning this journey, they’ve also become national advocates, working on legislation across the U.S. to help protect children from harmful food additives.

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BIRTH EDUCATION:

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LINKS MENTIONED:

https://www.todyeforthedocumentary.com/

Keywords:

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By HeHe Stewart

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