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Food dyes stick around despite data
The list of things that make food irresistible to kids is just as short as it is troubling: color and sugar.
According to new research published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, nearly one in five packaged foods and beverages in the United States contain synthetic food dyes — often paired with staggering amounts of sugar.
Researchers from The George Institute for Global Health, the University of North Carolina and the Center for Science in the Public Interest analyzed ingredient lists for nearly 40,000 products made by the country’s 25 largest food manufacturers.
Their findings point to a clear trend: Products marketed to children are significantly more likely to include artificial coloring. Among categories like candy, sugary drinks, cereals, baked goods and ready meals, 28% contained synthetic dyes … more than double the rate found in other foods.
Those bright colors come at a cost. The study found that dyed foods contain, on average, 141% more sugar than products without them.
Confectionery companies topped the list, with 60% and 52% of their products using synthetic dyes, respectively. Popular energy drinks contained them, too.
Authors point out these visually appealing additives are linked to behavioral issues such as hyperactivity and inattention, making it concerning that the FDA continues to rely on voluntary reform. Europe, by contrast, has required warning labels for dyed foods since 2010.
As several U.S. states begin to take action, meaningful change may finally be on the horizon … though whether the industry will comply remains to be seen.
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By UF Health
5
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The list of things that make food irresistible to kids is just as short as it is troubling: color and sugar.
According to new research published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, nearly one in five packaged foods and beverages in the United States contain synthetic food dyes — often paired with staggering amounts of sugar.
Researchers from The George Institute for Global Health, the University of North Carolina and the Center for Science in the Public Interest analyzed ingredient lists for nearly 40,000 products made by the country’s 25 largest food manufacturers.
Their findings point to a clear trend: Products marketed to children are significantly more likely to include artificial coloring. Among categories like candy, sugary drinks, cereals, baked goods and ready meals, 28% contained synthetic dyes … more than double the rate found in other foods.
Those bright colors come at a cost. The study found that dyed foods contain, on average, 141% more sugar than products without them.
Confectionery companies topped the list, with 60% and 52% of their products using synthetic dyes, respectively. Popular energy drinks contained them, too.
Authors point out these visually appealing additives are linked to behavioral issues such as hyperactivity and inattention, making it concerning that the FDA continues to rely on voluntary reform. Europe, by contrast, has required warning labels for dyed foods since 2010.
As several U.S. states begin to take action, meaningful change may finally be on the horizon … though whether the industry will comply remains to be seen.