Do Food Dyes Affect Children's Behavior?

Over the past few years many differing opinions have surfaced regarding sugar and whether it has an effect on children’s behavior or whether it is the activity and excitement surrounding the sugary treats that causes the over-stimulation. Most parents blame the sugar for their children’s behavior but The Center for Science in the Public Interest has concluded that artificial food dyes are a more likely culprit.
The Center has filed a petition with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to ban eight artificial food colors that are currently used in processed foods. They are also asking the FDA to require warnings on the labels of food containing the dyes until the ban passes and to require neurotoxicity tests for new dyes and additives.
In the 1970’s Dr. Ben Feingold discovered the link between food dyes and hyper-activity but his studies failed to prove a conclusive link. In the last ten years interest in this topic has been renewed and studies are beginning to show a definite connection between attention and behavior problems and the consumption of artificial dyes and additives. The article cites numerous studies that concluded that the dyes did in fact have a significant effect on children’s behavior. The study does not yet consider what possible long term effects may occur from over-exposure to the synthetic additives.
Food manufacturers could use a natural pigment in their products rather than the petrochemical and coal tar based chemical dyes that are presently used but it costs a little more and some U.S. companies do not want to have to raise their prices. However, Pete Maletto, a food scientist and consultant from New Jersey argues that people will gladly pay 10 cents more for a product that says No Artificial Flavors. The majority of food makers though, won’t act unless the FDA bans the colors or requires a warning label.
Chapter 5 in our book deems such studies to be fallacy. It states that there is no link between sugar or additives and hyperactivity. Instead, the book blames ADHD and related behavior problems to protein-calorie nutrition deficiency in infancy. While problems stemming from infancy can never fully be reversed, problems arising from poor nutrition in later childhood can be treated with nutritional rehabilitation.
Chapter 4 teaches about the FDA and the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act as well as the laws regarding the listing of specific information about food additives on labels.
I found a couple possible examples of bias in the article. Child psychologist Scott Benson says he hasn’t seen enough evidence to warn parents of the link but he treats hyperactive children and may have financial interests at the heart of his skepticism. Professor Mark Meskin of Cal Poly Pomona also rejects the idea of a wholesale ban on synthetic dyes. He would like the studies to pinpoint which artificial colors have problems before taking drastic measures. He is a spokesman for the food industry trade group Institute of Food Technologists who may also be concerned with profit margins.
There is one thing everyone can agree on. A child with a diet rich in nutrients and vitamins and with little or no artificial dyes or additives will be less likely to have behavioral problems than a child who is malnourished and gets most of his calories from artificially colored, highly processed foods.