The Truth About Food (Dyes)

By: Nancy Cordes
Topics: Field Notes

(CBS/John Filo)

Nancy Cordes is the transportation and consumer safety correspondent for CBS News.

One of the most common ingredients in the food we eat isn't even a food. It's food dye.

Food dyes are synthetic chemicals and you've seen them on many an ingredient list. They've got names like "Red 40" and "Blue 2." Without them, your cheesy macaroni might not be yellow and your fruit punch might not be red. Thousands of grocery store items contain artificial food dyes. We even spotted a package of "100% Real" potato au gratin today that gets its golden hue from 100 percent real "Yellow 5 Lake" and "Yellow 6 Lake."

There have been a lot of studies on the effects of artificial food dyes on children, dating back to the 1970s. Some showed that food dyes could cause behavioral problems in children, and others didn't. But a few years ago, an analysis of 21 of the most conclusive studies found compelling evidence that, indeed, artificial dyes could contribute to hyperactivity, restlessness, and attention problems in some children – particularly those with ADHD. What's more, the studies suggested that removing dyes from those children's diet was a quarter to half as effective in reducing those symptoms as giving the kids Ritalin or other stimulants. In other words, certain kids with ADHD might not need drugs if the artificial dyes were removed from their diets.

Kids like color; thus artificial dyes are most prevalent in products that appeal to children – such as snack foods and cereals. Parents who want to avoid artificial dyes can find it's a complicated process requiring careful examination of each ingredient label. One brand of tortilla chip may contain two dyes while the brand sitting right next to it contains none. Just because a food item is white or pale-colored is no guarantee is does not contain dyes. Trader Joe's and Whole Foods claim the products they sell contain no artificial dyes, but not every shopper has access to those chains. And of course, restaurants don't post ingredient lists on their menus!

The FDA continues to maintain that artificial dyes are safe, citing numerous studies that found no ill effects. But today the Center for Science in the Public Interest called on the FDA to ban eight of the most common artificial dyes, or at least affix a warning label to products that contain them: "Warning: The artificial coloring in this food causes hyperactivity and behavioral problems in some children."

Nancy Cordes
Nancy Cordes is CBS News' congressional correspondent.
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by booger80 July 12, 2011 9:19 PM EDT: I am a 80 year old very active male. Our summer has been unbearable hot. I have comsumed a lot of gator aid fruit punch this. At the moment i am annoyed by excessive itching on my body. Is it possible red forty might be the culpret?

booger80; Reply to this comment


by DMD5 March 31, 2011 1:48 PM EDT: My daughter suffered stomach cramps, diarrhea and rash. Cause Dyes. Remove dyes no problems.
People do not realize how many things dyes are in. Bread, yogurt, cheese and some "natural" or "Healthy" foods. Worse is the medications.
As in quick she's having a reaction get the antihistamine no NOT that one it has Red #40 in it.
I say this a lot.. Clear isn't always clear ...sometimes it's Blue #1.; Reply to this comment


by Bugalina September 15, 2010 4:05 PM EDT: My son doesn't just become hyper from food coloring but also has problems with artificial flavors as well. They don't just make him hyper, but make him paranoid! There is nothing sadder than a child who can't learn because he believes that the world is out to get him and that people will come through the walls!! I always know when he gets something from someone because of the dramatic change in his behavior. It would be good if the government did something right for a change and banned these substances, they certainly aren't healthy for you and actually cost manufacturers more to make the food because they have to buy the substance and then they pass that cost on to Us the consumer!!; Reply to this comment


by mom4change March 5, 2010 9:31 AM EST: Thank you so much for this report. It is important to get the word out about these harmful synthetic dyes. Many people think that it is the same stuff they had when they were kids and why should they deprive their children, but the truth is ...these dyes are petroleum based. They are derived from coal tar. There are more synthetic dyes today in the food and drug industry than ever before. Children are getting a huge dose of neuro-toxic chemicals that can in many children alter behavior, but in others do perhaps unseen damage and that is the chance people take when they eat processed foods with these dyes. Also, people think that the FDA would not allow harmful substances in foods. While the FDA tries to protect the general public, they have made mistakes in the past. This one is a huge mistake! Britain has banned these food dyes and believe that they have substantial evidence to protect children and people from these harmful dyes. My children suffered for two years before I was made aware of red dye 40. Once we made the switch to dye-free are lives have improved substantially. My child's behavior had a complete turn around. I have created a blog - www.reddyefree.blogspot.com so that I could help as many children as I could who are needlessly suffering from the affects of these dyes. Thank you again for your important post! :); Reply to this comment


by nodyes June 6, 2008 3:25 AM EDT: Red 40, other food coloring and the preservatives TBHQ and BHT are all petroleum derivatives. My son is sensitive to all of these. Particularly, when eats something with red 40, TBHQ or BHT, he becomes severely depressed, anxious and easily angered. He is restless, unable to concentrate on his homework and he has difficulty getting to sleep. He has also done some head banging and has tried to hurt himself when he has these substances in his system. Most people don''t realize that once this is eaten it takes 3 days before it is out of your system. Surprisingly, red 40 is contained in many things you would not expect, such as crescent rolls and some white chewable antibiotic tablets. TBHQ and BHT are in nearly all cereals, children''s snacks and candy. I don''t believe it''s the sugar that changes kid''s mood at Halloween; it''s the preservatives and dyes! When my son eats these substances he is essentially non-functional. When they are removed from his diet, he is an independent, straight A student who plays drums, cello, guitar, soccer, basketball and tennis. I''m sure there are many children, whose lives could be transformed, with some changes in their diet. The book by Dr. Doris Rapp, "Is This Your Child", also helped me to sort out my son''s problem. I would strongly recommend it.; Reply to this comment


by mamahall1 June 6, 2008 12:58 AM EDT: We removed Red40 from our sons diet!He gets food at school,or at a friends house.We always find out.He head bangs, hurts himself and others when in his system.When not in his system,he is a typical little boy,who wants to help people& makes good grades. We didn''t just decide this.We were having behavorial problems,that was not only effecting him it was effecting my husband & I,his sister,& friends.Our doctor said we can medicate him,go to therapy,& change his diet.We went down the list.Making medication last. Red40 was top on list,well with in days we noticed a change.My 6yr old & I actually sat down & read some of these stories together.Some have a different perspective,one guy said we are"bad parents"making excuses,maybe he is making excuses.Its sad how closed minded some people are,someone should have him babysit our children with dye in their system,lets see what his answer is at the end of the day.Im sure he would apoligize to many of you. We are good parents thats why we are fighting & doing something.If they had children they would do the same. Fight for whats right.Make changes even if only a few things get changed.Its not that easy we have jobs,maybe 2-3 or xx children not all can make foods from scratch. We cant please everyone.But starting w/the CHILDREN making them able to pick up a snack that their friends have & eat it w/confidence & acceptance.; Reply to this comment


by shulafaus June 5, 2008 12:21 PM EDT: Learn about the food-dye-free Feingold diet at the website of the Feingold Association. You can have an additive-free diet without having to invent your own version - we have been teaching it since 1976. See http://www.feingold.org or http://ADHDdiet.com

For the poster who is incredulous that food dye can cause any problem, I will point out that the dyes are chemically similar to drugs but have never been tested for safety the way drugs are tested. Even the "safest" of drugs has side effects for some people, and you would not consider putting them in your food ... would you?; Reply to this comment


by notsurprise1 June 5, 2008 1:38 AM EDT: Twenty five years ago, on the Phil Donahue show a doctor spoke back than how Red dye was linked to ADD & ADHD. My son was 2 at the time and had been diagnosed with ADHD. I removed him from all dyes and WOW what a difference. If he ate something with red dye, it was like having doctor jeckle and mr. hyde in the house. By controling what foods my son ate, his behavior was normal as any other kid his age. He was never placed on meds for his ADHD. The most difficult time frame was during school. School parties, where the cupcakes are all dolled up pink, red, orange (red & yellow make orange) & blue frosting. Cookies are decorated with a rainbow of color. If we as parents, are so blind not too see that dyes and the other chemicals, placed in our foods don''t have an effect on our families, you must be living in a glass house. In the last thirty years you have ADD & ADHD in 1 of 4 children....autism was never heard of and now 1 in 110 children are born with it. When does it end? When do our children/grandchildren stop paying the price of someones experiment.; Reply to this comment


by girlsnglasse June 4, 2008 11:47 PM EDT: jboxton --

Have you been listening (reading?)

My children are very well behaved - polite, respectful, obedient, straigh A students - until 2 minutes after they''ve eaten food dyes. Then they CANNOT control themselves. And I know what they''re going through because I have the same reactions. It feels like a I have a dragon in my chest, ready to leap out and devour anyone who crosses me - and I only get that feeling when I''m having a food reaction.

To those who say just cook from scratch - I do, but let''s think about this: how many single moms, who are doing their best to raise their children, working 40-50 hrs a week, don''t know better and grab a quick "meal" from the store. This "meal" is short on nutrition and high in additives. Who gets to pay for the children''s asthma and add treatments. Well, since they''re on Medicaid, we all do.; Reply to this comment


by micharb1015 June 4, 2008 5:54 PM EDT: Ooops...that wasn''t a swear word in that either. I guess we can''t use the word cap with an r after the c.; Reply to this comment