Is Food Coloring Toxic
Have you ever wondered is food coloring toxic? We bet you all have.
No unicorn sweets, cakes or whatever you make, can replace natural looking and healthy ingredient food preparation.
Yes, it can be interesting for your eyes, and your work can go viral on internet, but you should really ask yourself are those dyes you use for the matter poisoning you and your family, or causing some health issues you’re not aware of?
If you have no clue at all, you should definitely need to read this article.
Did You Know That…
Every year, food manufacturers pour 15 million pounds of artificial food dyes into U.S. foods, according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI).
In case of Europe, most foods in the European Union that contain artificial food dyes come with warning labels.
Also,the British government asked food manufacturers to remove the most of the artificial colors from foods back in 2009.
Food Dyes Influencing Health
Unfortunately, according to a CSPI report, some of the most commonly used food dyes may be linked to numerous forms of cancer, along with hyperactivity and other behavioral problems in children.
These dyes are common in U.S. foods and especially kids foods, and parents don’t think twice about giving their children rainbow-colored cereal or fluorescent blue “juice”.
In many cases, adults don’t consider this food color hazardous issue.
But, if these food packages contain warnings detailing what these artificial food coloring have, you may really be doing something good for your health- by avoiding them.
Well, in the European Union at least, they do.
And in US is totally different story.
Artificially colored foods are present almost everywhere, and people are completely unaware of the risks involved, and not to say how artificial food colors cause hyperactivity in children.
Best advise??
- Stick to whole fresh foods and avoid processed foods.
- Steer clear of these artificial food dyes – PERMANENTLY.
Which Food Colors Are Toxic
Here are some of the most common food dyes used today, according to the US National Library of Medicine – National Institutes of Health and what have researches found:
- Blue #1 (Brilliant Blue)
An unpublished study suggested the possibility that Blue 1 caused kidney tumors in mice.
Where it is used: Baked goods, beverages, desert powders, candies, cereal, drugs, and other products.
- Blue #2 (Indigo Carmine)
Causes a statistically significant incidence of tumors, particularly brain gliomas, in male rats.
Where it is used: Colored beverages, candies, pet food, & other food and drugs.
- Citrus Red #2
It’s toxic to rodents at modest levels and caused tumors of the urinary bladder and possibly other organs.
Where it is used: Skins of Florida oranges.
- Green #3 (Fast Green)
Caused significant increases in bladder and testes tumors in male rats.
Where it is used: Drugs, personal care products, cosmetic products except in eye area, candies, beverages, ice cream, sorbet, ingested drugs, lipsticks, and externally applied cosmetics.
- Red #3 (Erythrosine)
Recognized in 1990 by the FDA as a thyroid carcinogen in animals and is banned in cosmetics and externally applied drugs.
Where it is used: Sausage casings, oral medication, maraschino cherries, baked goods, and candies.
- Red #40 (Allura Red)
This is the most-widely used and consumed dye. It may accelerate the appearance of immune system tumors in mice.
It also causes hypersensitivity (allergy-like) reactions in some consumers and might trigger hyperactivity in children.
Where it is used: Beverages, bakery goods, dessert powders, candies, cereals, foods, drugs, and cosmetics.
- Yellow #5 (Tartrazine)
Yellow 5 causes sometimes-severe hypersensitivity reactions and might trigger hyperactivity and other behavioral effects in children.
Where it is used: Pet foods, numerous bakery goods, beverages, dessert powders, candies, cereals, gelatin desserts, and many other foods, as well as pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.
- Yellow #6 (Sunset Yellow)
Caused adrenal tumors in animals and occasionally causes severe hypersensitivity reactions.
Where it is used: Color bakery goods, cereals, beverages, dessert powders, candies, gelatin deserts, sausage, cosmetics, and drugs.
- Orange B
It is causing fetus development issues.
Where it is used: Used to color frankfurter and sausage casings.
Is Food Coloring Toxic And Causing Cancer Risks
In CSPI’s summary of studies on food dyes, you can see that some of the most commonly used food dyes may be linked to numerous forms of cancer.
“The three most widely used dyes, Red 40, Yellow 5, and Yellow 6, are contaminated with known carcinogens.
Another dye, Red 3, has been acknowledged for years by the Food and Drug Administration to be a carcinogen, yet is still in the food supply”.
In their 58-page report “Food Dyes-cancer Risks“, CSPI revealed that nine of the food dyes currently approved for use in the United States are linked to health issues ranging from cancer and hyperactivity to allergy-like reactions , and these results were from studies conducted by the chemical industry itself.
For instance, Red # 40, which is the most widely used dye, may accelerate the appearance of immune system tumors in mice, while also triggering hyperactivity in children.
Blue # 2, used in candies, beverages, pet foods and more, was linked to brain tumors, and Yellow 5 used in baked goods, candies, cereal and more, may not only be contaminated with several cancer-causing chemicals, but it’s also linked to hyperactivity, hypersensitivity and other behavioral effects in children.
Why Are Food Colors Added In First Place
They are added to make food look good that would otherwise be an off-colored mess look appealing.
When foods are processed not only are valuable nutrients lost and fibers removed, but the texture, natural variation and flavors are lost also.
After processing, what’s actually left behind is a bland, uninteresting “food” that most people would find entirely unappetizing.
So at this point, food manufacturers must add back in the nutrients, flavor, color and texture in order to make them desirable, and this is why they become loaded with food additives.
Most commonly, additives are included to:
- Slow spoilage
- Prevent fats and oils from becoming rancid or developing an off-flavor
- Prevent cut fruits from turning brown
- Fortify or enrich the food with synthetic vitamins and minerals (which are lost during processing)
- Improve taste, texture, and appearance
In the case of kids foods, bright colors are also added to attract kids attention and make the foods appear “fun.”
But in most cases, if a food comes in an outrageous color that is not found in nature, consuming it is not a good idea.
The study also found that the E-numbered food dyes do as much damage to children’s brains as lead in gasoline, resulting in a significant reduction in IQ.
Advisory to parents
- Limit your children’s intake of additives if you notice certain effect on behavior.
- Remove the 9 toxic food dyes and replace them with natural alternatives if possible.
Are you still wondering is food coloring toxic?
Stick To Natural Colors
Well, it is about time to switch to natural food coloring,don’t you think so?
Red bell peppers, purple eggplant, green spinach, blueberries and rainbow chard are all examples of healthy foods whose bright colors are signs of the important nutrients they contain.
Use naturals only and you won’t ever ask yourself again is natural food coloring toxic.
Source: YouTube
Source: Dr.Mercola
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