F.D.A. Panel to Consider Warnings for Artificial Food Colorings

[groovedaddy]

WASHINGTON — After staunchly defending the safety of artificial food colorings, the federal government is for the first time publicly reassessing whether foods like Jell-O, Lucky Charms cereal and Minute Maid Lemonade should carry warnings that the bright artificial colorings in them worsen behavior problems like hyperactivity in some children.

The Food and Drug Administration concluded long ago that there was no definitive link between the colorings and behavior or health problems, and the agency is unlikely to change its mind any time soon. But on Wednesday and Thursday, the F.D.A. will ask a panel of experts to review the evidence and advise on possible policy changes, which could include warning labels on food.

The hearings signal that the growing list of studies suggesting a link between artificial colorings and behavioral changes in children has at least gotten regulators’ attention — and, for consumer advocates, that in itself is a victory.

In a concluding report, staff scientists from the F.D.A. wrote that while typical children might be unaffected by the dyes, those with behavioral disorders might have their conditions “exacerbated by exposure to a number of substances in food, including, but not limited to, synthetic color additives.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/30/health/policy/30fda.html?nl=todaysheadlines&emc=tha23

[PoliticAverse]

1. But... but... they're 'magically delicious'...

Many people have suggested a link between artificial-colors and hyperactivity in the past. It's nice that
this possibility is now getting more serious attention.

We know some people are allergic to peanuts, some are allergic to strawberries, why is it hard to believe
some have reactions to synthetic food colorings ?