It is difficult to find a food item that does not have food colour. These dyes make candies, pickles, fruit juices and almost every packaged food that is brightly coloured, vibrant and appealing. They are found in almost all food products that target children, their bright and vivid colours captivating every child’s fancy.
In the early days, turmeric, saffron, tomatoes, grapes, greens etc. were used to make food colourful, but with the introduction of artificial food colours, the options became truly limitless.
Are these beautiful food colours healthy? Let’s find out.
What are artificial food dyes?Artificial food dyes or synthetic food colours are compounds manufactured through chemical reactions. They undergo stringent testing before they are certified as food grade and they are used extensively in the food and pharmaceutical industries. They are especially found in abundance in most of the foods that target children.
Why are artificial food colours dangerous?Artificial food colours undergo stringent testing before they are certified as safe for human consumption, but there are permissible limits that should be adhered to strictly. Another factor of concern is that some dyes are banned in certain countries, and are considered safe in others, which is a cause of confusion. Consumed in moderation, these colours, if used within permissible limits are not considered dangerous, but they do have certain disadvantages.
Disadvantages of synthetic food dyesIt has been universally acknowledged that artificial food colours may cause certain health problems if not used wisely. They include:
- • Skin irritations
- • Attention problems in children
- • Allergic reactions
- • Intestinal problems
- • Breathing problems
But the most alarming side effect is cancer.
Artificial food colours and cancerThere are two ways addition of colours can become carcinogenic and lead to cancers:
- • When food colours are contaminated with industrial compounds and other carcinogens such as Benzidine, 4-aminobiphenyl and 4-aminoazobenzene
- • When non-permitted colours are added to food
Both are extremely dangerous and could lead to major health issues including cancers.
It is mandatory to list the ingredients on the wrapper of food products, but most small-scale operations do not list them. So, it is up to us to be aware of the dangers and take preventive action.
How to protect yourself from cancer causing food additivesGain valuable knowledge about these artificial food dyes. Know what to look for in labels of food products. If the ingredients contained are suspicious or if they are not listed, then it is best to avoid it.
Remember food colours do not add to the taste of the food. They are added just to make the product more attractive. Avoid products that are brightly coloured and go for foods that are coloured naturally with turmeric, saffron etc. Natural products are healthier while artificial colours, even when safe, may destroy the nutritive value of food.
So next time you go shopping for food, go natural and be healthy.