Jun 3, 2008 3:38 pm US/Pacific
Scientists: Artificial Food Dyes May Harm Children
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
They're a common ingredient in the foods we eat, but now some scientists are sounding the alarm that artificial dyes are bad for children.
Mother of two Laura Koffman is a busy actress, but a few years ago all the drama was at home.
Her son Issac was hyperactive and had severe temper tantrums.
"Used to have to hold him down, stop, just stop literally on the floor stop, screaming and yelling," says Laura.
Now some scientists are blaming this type of behavior on common chemicals in our food.
"Artificial food dyes are harming our children," explains Dr. David Schab of Columbia University Medical Center.
The use of artificial dyes has sky rocketed in the last 50 years. The Center for Science in the Public Interest says studies dating back to the 1980s uncovered the effect and those children pre-disposed to behavioral problems are being pushed over the edge.
"We're urging the Food and Drug Administration to ban artificial food dyes in order to protect children from their effects on behavior," says Michael Jacobs, Executive Director for the Center for Science in the Public Interest.
Some European countries are already taking steps to eliminate them.
In Britain you would have a harder time finding artificial coloring. But here in the U.S. it's everywhere. Some of these cereals contain three or more dyes with no nutritional value. Their value is strictly cosmetic.
The Food and Drug Administration contends the dyes are safe but says:
"We will continue to closely monitor the scientific literature for new information regarding hyperactivity in children and consumption of additives."
Laura Koffman has all the evidence she needs. She now buys organic and reads labels carefully.
"He was just happier and calmer, he could sit at the table," says Laura.
For this mom, keeping her son away from artificial food coloring is an issue that's black and white.
The Grocery Manufacturers Association which represents food makers says the majority of scientific evidence confirms the safety of certified food dyes.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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