Food Color and Health Hazards
The FDA manages the Adverse Reaction Monitoring System (ARMS) as an added safety check on color additives to food, with a computerized database to track potential public health hazards.FDA's Advisory Committee on Hypersensitivity to Food Constituents concluded in 1986 that FD&C Yellow No. 5 may cause hives in fewer than one out of 10,000 people, but found no evidence that it provokes asthma attacks as some reports had indicated. It was decided to permit the usage of Yellow No. 5 to continue, with product labeling allowing those with hypersensitivity to avoid it.
Usage of Red No. 3 was voluntarily terminated in 1990 after animal testing indicated an association with thyroid tumors. Although it still remains on the list, the FDA is proposing to remove it.
Some food colorings derived from insects have also caused allergic reactions. A panel from the National Institutes of Health determined in 1982 that coloring additives were not related to claims of hyperactivitym, yet recent studies in the United Kingdom appear to disagree.
Although approved by the FDA, some people may still have allergic reactions. If you suffer severe allergies, consult your physician.
More about Food Coloring and Food Coloring Recipes:
• US Food Color Laws• Food Color Additives
• Food Coloring at Home - Cooking with Food Coloring
• Food Coloring and Health
• Food Coloring History
• Food Coloring Recipes
Food Coloring Photo © 2008 Peggy Trowbridge Filippone, licensed to About.com, Inc.
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