Possible Cause of Hyperactivity
On 6 September 2007, the British Food Standards Agency revised advice on certain artificial food additives, including E124.
Professor Jim Stevenson from Southampton University, and author of the report, said: "This has been a major study investigating an important area of research. The results suggest that consumption of certain mixtures of artificial food colours and sodium benzoate preservative are associated with increases in hyperactive behaviour in children.
"However, parents should not think that simply taking these additives out of food will prevent hyperactive disorders. We know that many other influences are at work but this at least is one a child can avoid."
The following additives were tested in the research:
- Sunset yellow (E110) (FD&C Yellow #6) - Colouring found in squashes
- Carmoisine (E122) - Red colouring in jellies
- Tartrazine (E102) (FD&C Yellow #5) - Yellow colouring
- Ponceau 4R (E124) - Red colouring
- Sodium benzoate (E211) - Preservative
- Quinoline yellow (E104) - Food colouring
- Allura red AC (E129) (FD&C Red #40) - Orange / red food dye
On 10 April 2008, the Foods Standard Agency called for a voluntary removal of the colours (but not sodium benzoate) by 2009. In addition, it recommended that there should be action to phase them out in food and drink in the European Union (EU) over a specified period.
The EFSA (European Food Safety Agency) has found the results of the Southampton study to be ambiguous and inconclusive and recommends no changes to current EU regulations pending results of further well designed testing of colourants.
UK ministers have agreed that the six colourings will be phased out by 2009.
Read more about this topic: Ponceau 4R