Quick Reality Check - Food Dyes and Their Health Effects

1. Many products including bubble bath, hair dye,Blue 2 (Indigotine, Indigo and Carmine) - studies show
dandruff shampoo, toothpaste and many foods arebrain tumors formation in mice. May cause nausea, skin
made a "pretty color" to make them more appealing.rashes, allergic reactions.
2. Many of these "food dyes" are actually veryCitrus Red 2 - may cause cancer. This is used to color
dangerous and their health effects include but are notsome fruit including oranges.
limited to: allergic reactions, asthma attacks, headaches,Green 3 - some studies suggest this is may be a
nausea, fatigue, lack of concentration, hyperactivity,carcinogenic.
ADHD and other attention deficit disorders,Green S - possible allergic reactions. Used in canned
nervousness and agitation, and an increased risk ofpeas, mint jelly and cake mixes.
Hodgkin's disease, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma andFD&C Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) linked to cancer,
multiple myeloma.allergies, breathing difficulties and asthma attacks.
3. Food Dyes that I would avoid in products:Found in packaged soup, sweets, jams and cereals.
Red 3 - thyroid tumors in animals.FD&C Yellow 6 (Sunset Yellow, FCF, Orange
D&C Red 33 - Cancer in humans; geneticYellow S.) may cause tumors in adrenal glands and
damage in animals.kidneys and may cause allergies, hyperactivity, and
Red 40 - carcinogenic and mutagenic in animals.chromosomal damage.
Asorubine, Carmoisine (a red coal tar derivative) -Annatto (Arnatto, Bixin and Norbixin) is linked to skin,
allergic reactions in asthmatics. This is used in somegastrointestinal, airway and central nervous system
sweets.reactions.
Blue 1 (Brilliant Blue and FCF) - some research shows4. I prefer products that are "not as pretty" but much
a potential cancer risk. This is used in dairy products,healthier.
sweets, and drinks.