When brilliant shades of blue, red, green, yellow and purple turn cakes, donuts and sweets into works of art, it's hard to resist them. But behind the colorful appeal of these foods lies a dark side. Over the past decade, there has been growing concern about the potential health risks of consuming artificial food colors.
Unlike natural food colors, which are made from vegetables, fruits and spices, artificial (also known as synthetic) color additives are derived from petroleum and are refined and tested until they no longer contain traces of petroleum, according to the American Chemical Society.
What are the artificial colors used in food?
Color additives are added to foods for a variety of reasons, including to compensate for color loss due to exposure to light, air, and temperature, and to correct and enhance natural colors. The color additives we see in food have gone through a rigorous certification process for safety approval, and there are two types.
- Dyes: Dyes come in powders, granules, and liquids and dissolve easily in water. These dyes are often found in baked goods, beverages, and dairy products.
- Lagos: lakes are water-insoluble forms of dyes. Lakes are ideal for contaminating foods that tend to be high in fats and oils. Candy, gum, supplements, and some cake mixes use lakes instead of dyes.
Here are the nine certified synthetic color additives approved for use on ingredient labels:
- FD&C Blue No. 1
- FD&C Blue No. 2
- FD&C Green No. 3
- FD&C Network No. 3
- FD&C Network No. 40
- FD&C Yellow No. 5
- FD&C Yellow No. 6
- Orange B
- Citrus Red No. 2
But there are certain color additives that are exempt from certification, and these colors are derived from natural sources, such as plant, mineral, or animal. Although exempt, these ingredients are still considered artificial color additives and must meet regulatory requirements.
Some examples include:
- Annatto extract (yellow)
- Dried beets (bluish-red to brown)
- Caramel (yellow to tan)
- Beta-carotene (yellow to orange)
- Grape skin extract (red, green)
Why are naturally derived dyes considered artificial?
According to the FDA, some ingredients found in nature (such as beets and grapes) can be more economically produced in a laboratory. These types of food colors are generally not linked to the adverse effects associated with other artificial colors.
Whether you're concerned about artificial food colors or not, the bottom line is that you can make an informed decision for yourself when looking for these color additives in your food. Artificial colors are not only found in sweets and cakes; they are also used in some cheeses, sauces, yogurt, packaged foods, snacks, and beverages.
One of the drawbacks of artificial food colors is the foods in which they are used. Often they have a high in sugar, have very little fiber and may contain other overly processed ingredients.
Should I worry about artificial food coloring?
Relationship with allergies
Although the FDA still supports the decision that artificial colors, whether man-made or derived from natural food sources, are safe for consumers, science has shown certain compounds, such as those found in FD&C Yellow No 5, can cause itching and hives.
Although the sample size of the research was small, it is important that sensitive people are aware of this.
The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology says that although some studies have linked food dyes to allergy symptoms, reactions are generally very rare. For example, an earlier study from July 2000, published in The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, shows some link between FD&C yellow No. 5, also known as tartrazine, and allergic reactions.
The researchers said that the 2.210 patients, who were exposed to tartrazine-containing psychotropic medications, developed allergic reactions, but they also noted that some of the patients had a history of tartrazine allergies and aspirin sensitivity.
Additionally, a small March 2014 study of 100 people, published in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice, found that only one percent of patients with chronic urticaria showed symptoms after being exposed to tartrazine and other food additives.
Link to behavior problems in children
The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), a consumer advocacy group that promotes nutrition, food safety, and health, has done extensive research on food colors and has also found links to synthetic food colors and behavior problems in children.
Previous research also raised concerns about the hyperactivity in children who consume certain food dyes.
Due to these health concerns, CSPI formally petitioned the FDA to ban the use of artificial food colors in food in 2008. However, it has since been reviewed by the FDA and found that these studies did not prove a link between the color additives that were tested and behavioral effects.
For example, an August 2005 study, published in the Archives of Disease in Children, which included 1,873 children, reported significant reductions in hyperactivity in children when artificial food coloring was removed from their diet. The children's parents also reported increases in hyperactivity when they consumed beverages containing artificial colors.
CSPI also cites numerous studies highlighting the toxicity and carcinogenic effects of artificial food colors in a June 2010 report, Food Dyes: A Rainbow of Risks. However, it is worth noting that many of the studies were done on rats.
Due to these health concerns, CSPI has formally petitioned the FDA to ban the use of artificial food colors, such as Yellow 5 and Red 60, in food in 2008.
What about natural food colors?
If you're concerned about artificial food colors, there are now a variety of natural, plant-based food colors you can buy at the store. Some of these food colorings are made with ingredients like red radish juice, spirulina extract, and turmeric extract.
Basically, if something gets on your hands when you cut it, it can stain your food. The advantage is that it also means that it is also rich in antioxidants. However, it's important to note that natural food colors still contain some processed ingredients to help maintain their color.
'Processed' is not necessarily a term to fear, but more so be aware of how the particular food is processed to ensure it aligns with your particular eating style. As with anything, candies made with natural or synthetic food coloring should be eaten in moderation.
How to make your own natural food coloring?
Natural food colors make it easy to recreate many of the colorful baked goods and snacks you love at home, but they tend to be more expensive than artificial ones. An easy solution is to make natural food coloring. using vegetables and fruits, that are not only free of synthetic ingredients, but are packed with health-boosting nutrients and minerals.
For example, you can use spinach to give a color Verde; dried wild blueberries for azul; beets for a dark pink or purple; freeze-dried strawberries for red or pink; and turmeric for yellow.