Colours banned over hyperactivity
A ban on six food colourings linked to hyperactivity in children has been backed by ministers.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) proposed the ban after researchers at the University of Southampton published data showing that certain artificial colours and additives contributed to a flare-up of the condition in young people.
An FSA spokesman told the just-food website: "Government ministers have agreed with the Food Standards Agency proposal for a voluntary ban on six food colourings linked to an increased risk of hyperactivity in children."
The six colours concerned in the report are E102 Tartrazine, E104 Quinoline Yellow, E110 Sunset Yellow, E122 Carmoisine, E124 Ponceau 4R and E129 Allura Red.
The FSA hopes the additives will be phased out by the end of 2009. The EU has also proposed that from 2010 labelling should warn about the link these colourings have with the condition.
Campaigning group Action on Additives co-ordinator Anna Glayzer told just-food: "It is essential that the FSA keeps up the pressure on companies to get rid of these potentially harmful and utterly unnecessary ingredients."
Copyright © Press Association 2008
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