Hope for Food Dye Bans in USA

Sometimes the United States takes the lead in food policy. But the United Kingdom leads the way on eliminating artificial additives in foods.

Melanie Warner, who has covered the food industry for the New York Times, reported that the FDA is going to meet in March 2011 to discuss food dyes and hyperactivity. Foods containing dyes now have a warning label in the European Union and many companies sell dye-free versions overseas. See the full article on the UK here.

Warner points out that “The FDA’s change of heart and public hearing, while preliminary, may mark a regulatory and scientific tipping point.” The British government has asked food manufacturers to remove artificial colors and in the European Union food products containing dyes now come with warning label that the food “may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children.”

Here in the US, companies like Pepsi’s Frito-Lay unit have already started working to swap out synthetic colors for natural ones.

Excellent National Public Radio report. See here for a report on the FDA efforts and a colorful display of the artificial dyes in foods that he Center for Science in the Public Interest is asking the FDA.