CSPI Reports on Food Dyes.

Latest long CSPI report states:

“The three most widely used dyes, Red 40, Yellow 5, and Yellow 6, are contaminated with known carcinogens …Another dye, Red 3, has been acknowledged for years by the Food and Drug Administration to be a carcinogen, yet is still in the food supply.”

9 food dyes currently approved for use in USA are linked to health issues eg-cancer and hyperactivity to allergy-like reactions — and these results were from studies conducted by the chemical industry itself.

Red – may accelerate the appearance of immune-system tumors in mice, while also triggering hyperactivity in children.

Blue -, in candies, beverages, pet foods, was linked to brain tumors.

Yellow , – in baked goods, candies, cereal , may not only be contaminated with several cancer-causing chemicals, but it’s also linked to hyperactivity, hypersensitivity and other behavioral effects in children.

It further adds that-

“Almost all the toxicological studies on dyes were commissioned, conducted, and analyzed by the chemical industry and academic consultants. Ideally, dyes (and other regulated chemicals) would be tested by independent researchers.

Furthermore, virtually all the studies tested individual dyes, whereas many foods and diets contain mixtures of dyes (and other ingredients) that might lead to additive or synergistic effects.

In addition to considerations of organ damage, cancer, birth defects, and allergic reactions, mixtures of dyes (and Yellow 5 tested alone) cause hyperactivity and other behavioral problems in some children.

…Because of those toxicological considerations, including carcinogenicity, hypersensitivity reactions, and behavioral effects, food dyes cannot be considered safe. The FDA should ban food dyes, which serve no purpose other than a cosmetic effect, though quirks in the law make it difficult to do so (the law should be amended to make it no more difficult to ban food colorings than other food additives). .. companies  should voluntarily  replace dyes with safer, natural colorings.”