Do Food Color and Additives Affect Child Behavior?

Quite often parents find themselves in situations where their children are undergoing a tough  stage exhibiting temper tantrums and disruptive behavior. Many dismiss these symptoms as normal during the developmental phase, but there could be more to the story.

A recent study carried out by the  European Union’s Food Safety Commission found that about a quarter of children, mostly between one and three years of age, showed altered behavior after consuming foods containing additives and artificial colors. The publishers themselves are quick to point out that “the results reported must be regarded as a very preliminary indication on the dietary intake of food additives due to the many limitations the current exercise had.”

Many popular children’s foods like jelly tots, fizzy drinks, rainbow cereals, cupcakes, etc. contain added colors for characteristic appearance and to attract children. Although these additives are listed on the food label, their actual quantities may not bementioned, making it difficult for parents to measure safe portions for their children. 

A single food may comply with the norms, but consuming several such foods together or within a small interval may cause the total quantities to add up and exceed the prescribed limits. Excessive additive or color intake  has been found to cause behavioral issues in children. They are more prone to have concentration issues, short temper, sleep struggles and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

The results of a four week study involving 227 children (all three year old) by the UK Asthma and Allergy Research Centre, indicated that artificial food colorings and sodium benzoate preservative had “substantial effects ”on their behavior. Many other studies have established similar outcomes.

Some of the food additives that are directly linked with hyperactivity among toddlers are:

• Sunset yellow (E110): found in orange jelly, infant medicines, canned fish, hot chocolate mixes etc.
• Tartazine (E 102): found in fizzy drinks, ice creams, sweets, chewing gum, jam and infant medicines.
• Ponceau 4R (E124): used in desert toppings, jelly, canned strawberries and fruit pie fillings.
• Quinoline yellow (E 104): found in ice creams, lollies and smoked haddock.
• Carmoisine (E122): used in jams, sweets, yoghurts, jellies, cheesecakes etc.
• Allures red (E129): found in sweets, drinks and medicines.
• Sodium benzoate (E211): used in fizzy drinks, fruit juices, cakes, jellies and crisps.

Removing these additives from a child’s diet can be a challenge, but one can try and reduce the intake.  This can be done by taking proactive measures like:

• Reading and decoding the labels carefully
• Choosing food with natural colors
• Baking cookies and breads at home, whenever possible
• Preparing desserts and sweets at home with natural ingredients
• Encouraging children to consume food in their natural form
• Limiting the consumption of food with additives