Asthma, hyperactivity and the food colours which cause them

Recent research in the UK points to six artificial food colours which are linked to asthma and hyperactivity in children.

Those artificial food additives are:

• sunset yellow (E110)
• quinoline yellow (E104)
• carmoisine (E122)
• allura red (E129)
• tartrazine (E102)
• ponceau 4R (E 124)

Some of these food colours are now banned in the USA. In the UK, new food labeling law require a warning to be placed on any products using them. In Australia their use is still unrestricted and widespread.

The good news is that responsible manufacturers may be voluntarily withdrawing these food colours from their products, replacing them with natural alternatives. For parents, this is a supportive initiative that goes a long way to helping manage many health issues in children. Add to your list of foods to avoid with asthma, anything artificially coloured and you will see an improvement in your child’s health.

Seeing red (orange or yellow) in the foods we offer our children might not always mean stop or caution.

Read more about UK Research into food colours, asthma and hyperactivity.

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Lindy Schneider is a writer and researcher with a keen interest in health, wellbeing and natural childcare. She is an advocator of a chemical-free lifestyle in the best interests of her family, the community and a sustainable world. She lives in the Yarra Valley with her partner and two young children.