AP Features, September 28th, 2007
The European Union's food safety authority said Friday it would investigate possible health risks associated with artificial food colorings that British experts fear could stimulate hyperactivity in children.
The British Food Standards agency released preliminary findings earlier this month from a study into food colorings that found two commonly used dyes have a "significant adverse effect" on some children.
The study at Southampton University in England examined the effects of additives on 153 3-year-olds and 144 children ages 8 and 9. It found that found that older children reacted significantly to the dyes.
The researchers described their findings as tentative, advising parents that hyperactivity has complex causes and cannot be cured by simply withdrawing food colorings.
Acting on the research, British officials advised parents concerned about hyperactivity to avoid letting their children consume any of the additives involved in the Southampton study.
On Friday, the EU's Parma, Italy-based EFSA agency said "a further detailed assessment" of a British study was necessary, and added it would also review "all currently permitted food colors" to assess their impact on health.
The EFSA investigation will look into the dyes used in the British studies, including four colorings _ sunset yellow, carmoisine, tartrazine and ponceau _ and sodium benzoate.
The agency said it hoped to conclude its investigation by the end of January 2008, adding that it would include scientists and clinicians "with expertise in child psychology and behavior, allergy and analysis of clinical trials."
The results could be used to curb the use of the dyes in food products in the EU if they are found to cause harm to human health.
