Beet juice concentrate colour, turmeric extract colour – these are just 2 of the many natural food dye options available to food manufacturers.
But currently, many U.S products are still being laced with risky artificial food dyes that have been banned around the world.
Artificial Food Dyes Banned In Other Countries
On the UKs banned and restricted food items list is the food colouring Red 2G (E128). This is due to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) concluding after heavy evaluation, that the food dye may have genotoxic and carcinogenic effects that can potentially damage cells and cause cancer in animals[1].
There are many other countries within Europe that have banned artificial food dyes from being used in food products, but currently the U.S. has yet to catch up with the news that these dyes are probably the cause of ADHD in a lot of the children living there[2].
Health Concerns of Artificial Dyes
According to the Food Freedom Network, the following list is of the most common artificial food dyes used in our food and the risks they may pose to our health:
Blue #1 (Brilliant Blue)
A study that has yet been unpublished made a connection that artificial dye Blue 1 possibly caused kidney tumors in mice.
Where is this dye found? Baked goods, beverages, desert powders, candies, cereal, drugs, and other products.
Blue #2 (Indigo Carmine)
Has been linked to causing a statistically significant incidence of tumors, particularly brain gliomas, in male rats.
Where is this dye found? Colored beverages, candies, pet food, & other food and drugs.
Citrus Red #2
Many studies have found that it is toxic to rodents at modest levels and caused tumors of the urinary bladder and possibly other organs.
Where is this dye found? The skins of Florida oranges.
Green #3 (Fast Green)
Caused significant increases in bladder and testes tumors in male rats.
Where is this dye found? Drugs, personal care products, cosmetic products except in eye area, candies, beverages, ice cream, sorbet, ingested drugs, lipsticks, and externally applied cosmetics.
Red #3 (Erythrosine)
This artificial dye was, by the FDA, recognized in 1990 as a thyroid carcinogen in animals and is banned in cosmetics and externally applied drugs.
Where is this dye found? Sausage casings, oral medication, maraschino cherries, baked goods, and candies.
Red #40 (Allura Red)
Red #40 is the most commonly used and consumed dye. It has been found to possibly accelerate the appearance of immune system tumors in mice. It also causes hypersensitivity (allergy-like) reactions in some consumers and might trigger hyperactivity in children.
Where is this dye found? Beverages, bakery goods, dessert powders, candies, cereals, foods, drugs, and cosmetics.