How Artificial Dyes Can Affect Children

How Artificial Dyes Can Affect Children

Red Dye 40, an even more prominent dye in food and beverages—you’ll find it in everything from Cheetos and Doritos to Fruity Pebbles and Kool-Aid—is often considered a better alternative when compared to Red 3. But, Klingbaum says, “There is some emerging evidence to suggest a link between Red 40 and other food dyes and hyperactivity in children.”

Some studies show that regulatory levels of artificial coloring agents weren’t created with children in mind, and instead are based on much larger adults, indicating that children’s exposure to synthetic dyes might exceed regulatory guidelines. These studies call for the FDA to reevaluate its current Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) levels to take into consideration both children and pregnant women.

Considering many food and drinks marketed towards children contain Red 40 and other vibrant food dyes, this is cause for concern. Red 40 has a different chemical makeup than Red 3, indicating that it does not pose the same carcinogenic risk to the thyroid health.

Even without the cancer risks, other synthetic dyes pose problems for younger generations. Studies suggest that consumption of artificial food dyes can make ADHD and anxiety symptoms in children worse, as well as exacerbate the symptoms of oppositional defiant disorder. There is evidence that suggests these artificial dyes affect not only children with pre-existing neurobehavioral issues, but those without them, along with children in utero, as well.