20th April 2010
Following research carried out in 2007 at the University of Southampton, which was funded by the FSA (Food Standards Agency) certain Artificial Food Colourings and one preservative were found (for the second FSA funded study) to cause Hyperactivity.
The EU, from 20th July 2010 require all products containing the 6 colourings and preservative, Sodium Benzoate, to carry an extra label “may have an adverse effect on Activity and Attention in Children”.
The six colourings are Tartrazine (E102), Quinoline Yellow(E104), Sunset Yellow (E110), Carmosine (E122), Ponceau 4R (E124) and Allura Red(E129). There are a further 12 Artificial colourings which the HACSG and others feel should be included but which were not studied in the Southampton Research.
The HACSG would like to see a ban on all Artificial Colourings, not just a warning label for six colours, but after 33 years I suppose we must still be patient and be grateful for the EU action taken so far.