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Effects of artificial colours on children's behaviour   

New research into the possible effects of artificial food colours on children’s behaviour was published on 6 September, 2007 in the medical journal The Lancet. This study has been reviewed by experts in the United Kingdom and is described by the Food Standards Agency as a helpful additional contribution to our knowledge on the possible effects of artificial food colours on children’s behaviour.

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has examined this study, as have other food agencies around the world. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) convened a panel of experts with expertise in behaviour, child psychiatry, allergy and statistics to consider the study. EFSA concluded that the study provided limited evidence that the mixtures of colours and sodium benzoate had an effect on the activity and attention of children in the general population and that there was not enough evidence to change the current limits or use of these additives.

The food colours in the UK study are approved as safe in Australia and New Zealand. We also know from the 2006 FSANZ study of added colours in food that Australian food manufacturers use these colours at much lower levels than those used in the UK study. For example, the UK study assumed a concentration of 67 mg/kg of the colour tartrazine in confectionery, whereas the average concentration of tartrazine found in confectionery in the FSANZ survey was only 10 mg/kg.

We have also estimated the amounts of these colours that are consumed by Australian children, and know that Australian children are also consuming food colours at much lower levels than the amounts used in the UK Southampton study. For example, on average, 6 to 12 year olds in Australia are consuming the food colour tartrazine at 14% of the amount used for 8 to 9 year olds in the UK study, and are consuming the colour sunset yellow at 21% and 8% of the amounts used in the UK study (in the two mixes).

The report of the FSANZ survey of added colours in Australian foods is availablehere click andhere for the attachments.

FSANZ does recognise that adverse reactions to foods and food additives occur in a small proportion of the population. These reactions are not the same as allergies but may include rashes and swelling of the skin, irritable bowel symptoms, behavioural changes in children and headaches.

Additives (including colours) may not be included in foods unless they are approved and included in the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code. Food additives which are in a food or drink to perform a function must be identified on the label with either its name or its specific code number.  

Parents can use this information to identify when the additives included in this study are in their child’s diet, but it should not be assumed that simply taking these additives out of a child’s diet will eliminate these symptoms. If you think you or your child has a food intolerance we recommend you seek advice from a medical practitioner or accredited practicing dietitian.