Food Coloring May Stimulate Kids

Some artificial food colorings may stimulate hyperactivity in children, and parents may gain some benefit from preventing their children from consuming them, a government agency said Thursday.

The Food Standards agency had commissioned researchers at Southampton University in England to examine the possible effects of several commonly used dyes. The researchers described their findings as tentative, and advised parents that hyperactivity has complex causes and cannot be cured by simply withdrawing food colorings.

Susan Jebb, a nutrition scientist at Britain's Medical Research Council, said the results might reflect wider problems of child nutrition.

"While this study is showing an effect of certain additives on hyperactivity in children, it should be considered in context with other key issues regarding children's diets," said Jebb, who was not involved in the Southampton study.

"Such additives are most likely to be found in foods that we would like to see children eating less of - i.e. soft drinks, confectionery and so on - and so it reiterates the general healthy eating messages of encouraging healthier food choices."

Paul Illing, a toxicologist and fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry, said the study "shows some statistical associations, (but) it is not a demonstration of cause and effect." He said the connection needed further study.

Jim Stevenson and colleagues, who published their results this week in The Lancet medical journal, examined the effects of additives on 153 3-year-olds and 144 children aged 8 and 9.

Some were given a mixture including four colorings - sunset yellow, carmoisine, tartrazine and ponceau - and sodium benzoate.

A second group was given the preservative sodium benzoate and four colorings - sunset yellow, carmoisine, quinoline yellow and allura red.

A third group received a placebo.

The older children showed a "signficantly adverse effect" from both dye mixes, but the adverse reaction of 3-year-olds was rated significant only for the first mix.

Acting on the research, the Food Standards Agency advised parents concerned about hyperactivity to avoid letting their children consume any of the additives involved in the Southampton study.

"If a child shows signs of hyperactivity or ADHD (attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder) then eliminating the colors used in the Southampton study from their diet might have some beneficial effects," said Dr. Andrew Wadge, the agency's chief scientist.

"However, we need to remember that there are many factors associated with hyperactive behavior in children. These are thought to include genetic factors, being born prematurely, or environment and upbringing."