In recent news, it was discovered that several American food products contain harmful additives that are not used – and in some cases banned – in other countries. One of those products is an iconic staple that I use to eat all the time as a child: Kraft Macaroni and Cheese.
Kraft Macaroni and Cheese in the US contains the artificial food dyes Yellow #5 and Yellow #6. These dyes are not in Kraft Macaroni and Cheese in other countries, including the UK, because they are considered harmful overseas and were removed due to consumer outcry. Kraft reformulated their product for the UK, but not for their fellow American citizens. Here is what a popular doctor says about these dyes:
"British researchers designed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to test the effects of food colorings on hyperactivity in children. Hyperactivity is one of the signs of ADHD. The children consumed foods and drinks free of six coloring agents and sodium benzoate, a common preservative. Every two weeks, the children were given a special drink that contained enough dye found in two bags of candy.The researchers and their parents found a significant increase in hyperactivity in the children during the weeks that they consumed the drink with the artificial colors.
This research correlates with an analysis of different studies done at Columbia University and Harvard University. The analysis affirmed that removing foods and products that contain artificial food coloring can help relieve the symptoms of children already diagnosed with ADHD."
Additional information you should know about these dyes:
What to do from here....
Consider what you are feeding yourself and your family. Other artificial dyes include: Blue #1, Blue #2, Green #3, Red #3, Red #40 and are found in things like juices, chips, granola bars, and many "natural" labeled items just to name a few. Be sure to read the labels to determine if your food contains these harmful dyes. I went to the store last night and read the labels of items I frequently buy and was very sad to see that many of the items contained these dyes.
We should have the right to buy products that don't jeopardize our health when there are perfectly fine alternatives out there. Take a look at the labels on some of your products and see how many include these harmful dyes. I encourage everyone to join the cause and sign the Petition for safer, artificial dye free food. Sign up here and help with the fight against artificial dyes.
Here are a few products that contain those artificial dyes:
Kraft Macaroni and Cheese in the US contains the artificial food dyes Yellow #5 and Yellow #6. These dyes are not in Kraft Macaroni and Cheese in other countries, including the UK, because they are considered harmful overseas and were removed due to consumer outcry. Kraft reformulated their product for the UK, but not for their fellow American citizens. Here is what a popular doctor says about these dyes:
"British researchers designed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to test the effects of food colorings on hyperactivity in children. Hyperactivity is one of the signs of ADHD. The children consumed foods and drinks free of six coloring agents and sodium benzoate, a common preservative. Every two weeks, the children were given a special drink that contained enough dye found in two bags of candy.The researchers and their parents found a significant increase in hyperactivity in the children during the weeks that they consumed the drink with the artificial colors.
This research correlates with an analysis of different studies done at Columbia University and Harvard University. The analysis affirmed that removing foods and products that contain artificial food coloring can help relieve the symptoms of children already diagnosed with ADHD."
Additional information you should know about these dyes:
- Food coloring is made from petroleum, contaminants, and propylene glycol (a.k.a. antifreeze)
- Artificial food coloring has been linked to bed-wetting, eczema, mood swings, hyperactivity, sleep disturbances, increased risky behavior, ear infections, headaches, hypersensitivity, obesity, asthma, diabetes, cancer, ADD/ADHD, chromosomal damage, hives, and possibly hypoglycemia. Some scientists believe it could play a role in Alzheimer's Disease and Parkinson's Disease.
- Products with the label "made with organic ingredients" may still contain synthetic dyes. Buying 100% certified organic products is an easy way to avoid food coloring.
- "Caramel coloring" isn't natural. It's sugar that has been highly processed with ammonia and sulfides. It has been shown to produce two carcinogenic chemicals in the body (related to lung, liver, and thyroid cancer, and leukemia).
- in many stores, Oranges are sprayed with Citrus Red dye to appear more nutritious, and no label is required. Salmon are given red-colored feed to make their flesh appear brighter (and therefore fresher). Supermarket beef is injected with red dye to hide its otherwise gray hue.
- These dyes require a warning label in other countries outside the US.
What to do from here....
Consider what you are feeding yourself and your family. Other artificial dyes include: Blue #1, Blue #2, Green #3, Red #3, Red #40 and are found in things like juices, chips, granola bars, and many "natural" labeled items just to name a few. Be sure to read the labels to determine if your food contains these harmful dyes. I went to the store last night and read the labels of items I frequently buy and was very sad to see that many of the items contained these dyes.
We should have the right to buy products that don't jeopardize our health when there are perfectly fine alternatives out there. Take a look at the labels on some of your products and see how many include these harmful dyes. I encourage everyone to join the cause and sign the Petition for safer, artificial dye free food. Sign up here and help with the fight against artificial dyes.
Here are a few products that contain those artificial dyes: