Really, FDA, You Don't See a Problem?

The FDA and its endless journey to nowhere has once again undermined American nutrition. Just who are the people who think food coloring is not bad for you? And are they in fact the experts? Here is what I know about food coloring:

• FD&C colors can be used in food, drugs and cosmetics while D&C can be used only in drugs and cosmetics (and D&C can contain twice the amount of lead allowed in FD&C so watch out for colored medicine)
• Colors are petroleum based and FDA allows permissible levels of lead, mercury, arsenic and benzidine.
• Yellow # 5 (tartrazine) and yellow #6 (Sunset Yellow) both contain benzidine, a known carcinogen, which has been in found in these colors in up to 200 times the allowable level
• Artificial color has been proven to cause neurological effects, DNA damage, increased cholesterol, deficiencies of zinc and other minerals
• It is noteworthy that the FDA gets a user fee for all certified color. Per capita production has increased significantly (all going in our food and meds, and, well, toothpaste too)
• Early testing was based on 27 mg per day by a trade association including Coca-cola and Hofmann LaRoche and makers of artificial colors, flavors and pesticides. The 27 mg a day is so little it is completely irrelevant.
• There is a linear relationship between the levels of food dye given per day and the per cent of children who react to the dye. At around 130 mg per day, 90 per cent of children react behaviorally. If average intake in 1977 really was 327 mg per day, just think what it might be today with neon birthday cakes and dark blue toothpaste with sparkles.
• In 11 studies, 63 to 88 per cent of children improved on diets eliminating dye but studies varied in eliminating other things as well…
• In 17 studies, behavior significantly worsened when dye was added to diet
• The Center for Science in the Public Interest recommended (in 1999) that the FDA force the elimination of dyes in toothpaste, cupcakes, candy, cereal, children’s medicines and vitamins. (FYI, the FDA allows more coloring in meds so always get adult capsules and mix with natural cherry syrup!!!)
• All of the major large scale food manufacturers have alternative recipes for the UK / Europe where they quite easily use turmeric, beet juice and other natural alternatives for their brightly colored junk food. So can't we persuade them to use those recipes here? Maybe, but it will be tough without the help of the FDA.