Evil FDA did it again!

In March this year FDA examined the request made by the concerned citizens and parents that the foods containing food colorings should have special warning labels. The reason for this request was that food colorings may contribute to behavioral problems and hyperactivity in children. FDA ruled that the warning labels are not necessary, even though it admitted that, yes, the colorings may cause problems in some children. FDA was applauded by the food manufacturers that don't want to remove the food colorings, because they make more money on pretty pinks and greens since little kids like the pretty colors. Children are the biggest victims of food colorings, because most candies, cereals and snacks, even Mac & Cheese, contain food colorings! So warning labels are quite necessary, because kids are unlikely to read the small print with the ingredients and to know that food colorings are bad for them. Rats given food colorings could not navigate the maze like the other rats - their attention spans were severely impaired. A school teacher in England "who encouraged children to give up brightly-coloured sweets says it has transformed their behaviour. Academic performance has also improved, according to Gordon Walker, of Tywardreath School in Cornwall." Read the original article about that teacher's experiment.


Food colorings cause a number of health problems. They are known food allergens, and some attribute to cancer.
These food colors are currently allowed in the US:
* FD&C Blue No. 1 – Brilliant Blue FCF, E133 (blue shade), also called Aluminum Lake.
* FD&C Blue No. 2 – Indigotine, E132 (indigo shade) It used to be made from indigo plant, but now it is manufactured synthetically. Indigo production produces a variety of waste products which must be handled carefully, and some of these materials are considered to be hazardous. The production process involves the reaction of aniline, formaldehyde, and hydrogen cyanide to form phenylglycinonitrile. Then, a method which uses sodamide with alkali to convert phenylglycine to indoxyl. Doesn't sound very edible, does it?
* FD&C Green No. 3 – Fast Green FCF, E143 (turquoise shade)
* FD&C Red No. 40 – Allura Red AC, E129 (red shade)
* FD&C Red No. 3 – Erythrosine, E127 (pink shade)
* FD&C Yellow No. 5 – Tartrazine, E102 (yellow shade)
* FD&C Yellow No. 6 – Sunset Yellow FCF, E110 (orange shade)
Blue 1, Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6 are derived from coal tar. Coal tar causes allergic reactions, as well as cancer in rats.

So-called 'natural' colorings (so-called, because chemicals such as: Hexane, acetone, alum, ammonia or a sodium carbonate solution, stannous chloride, borax, and other solvents are used for extraction of the coloring. Residues of these often remain in the finished products.) :
* Caramel coloring (E150), made from caramelized sugar, used in cola products and also in cosmetics
* Annatto (E160b), a reddish-orange dye made from the seed of the achiote. An allergen.
* A green dye made from chlorella algae (chlorophyll, E140)
* Cochineal (E120), a red dye derived from the cochineal insect, Dactylopius coccus. Known to cause a strong allergic reaction. Not kosher.
* Betanin extracted from beets
* Turmeric (curcuminoids, E100)
* Saffron (carotenoids, E160a)
* Paprika (E160c)
* Elderberry juice
* Pandan (Pandanus amaryllifolius), a green food coloring
* Butterfly pea (Clitoria ternatea), a blue food dye