More information on each of the additives
Tartrazine (E102)
Tartrazine is an artificial, yellow food colouring. A research study published by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) in September 2007 showed that a mixture of artificial food colourings including tartrazine and one food preservative, could affect hyperactive behaviour in susceptible children.
According to the FSA, studies have also shown that eating foods or drinks containing tartrazine can cause nettle rash (urticaria), dermatitis (an allergic skin condition), asthma, or rhinitis (runny nose) in a very small number of people.
Under EC guidelines, medicines should carry a warning that tartrazine “may cause allergic reactions”. Foods and drinks carry no such warning, despite been consumed in much greater quantities.
Tartrazine is banned from all foods and drinks for the under threes.
Once commonly used, media reports linking tartrazine to allergic reactions led to a reduction in its use. However, it can still be legally used in the
Quinoline yellow (E104)
Quinoline yellow is an artificial, yellow food colouring. A research study published by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) in September 2007 showed that a mixture of artificial food colourings including quinoline yellow and one food preservative, could affect hyperactive behaviour in susceptible children.
Under EC guidelines, medicines should carry a warning that quinoline yellow “may cause allergic reactions”. Foods and drinks carry no such warning, despite been consumed in much greater quantities.
Quinoline yellow is banned in the
Quinoline yellow is banned from all foods and drinks for the under threes.
Quinoline yellow is used in a wide variety of sweets, soft drinks and other food and drink products.
Sunset yellow (E110)
Sunset yellow is an artificial, orange / yellow food colouring. A research study published by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) in September 2007 showed that a mixture of artificial food colourings including sunset yellow and one food preservative, could affect hyperactive behaviour in susceptible children.
Under EC guidelines, medicines should carry a warning that sunset yellow “may cause allergic reactions”. Foods and drinks carry no such warning, despite been consumed in much greater quantities.
Sunset yellow is banned from all foods and drinks for the under threes.
Sunset yellow is used in a wide variety of sweets, soft drinks and other food and drink products.
Carmoisine (E122)
Carmoisine is an artificial, red food colouring. A research study published by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) in September 2007 showed that a mixture of artificial food colourings including carmoisine and one food preservative, could affect hyperactive behaviour in susceptible children.
Under EC guidelines, medicines should carry a warning that carmoisine “may cause allergic reactions”. Foods and drinks carry no such warning, despite been consumed in much greater quantities.
Carmoisine is used in a wide variety of sweets, soft drinks and other food and drink products, and also crops up in children’s medicines.
Carmoisine is banned from all foods and drinks for the under threes, but is still used in some medicines for the under threes.
Carmoisine is banned in the
Ponceau 4R (E124)
Ponceau 4R is an artificial, red food colouring. A research study published by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) in September 2007 showed that a mixture of artificial food colourings including ponceau 4R and one food preservative, could affect hyperactive behaviour in susceptible children.
Under EC guidelines, medicines should carry a warning that ponceau 4R “may cause allergic reactions”. Foods and drinks carry no such warning, despite been consumed in much greater quantities.
Ponceau 4R is used in a wide variety of sweets, soft drinks and other food and drink products.
Ponceau 4R is banned from all foods and drinks for the under threes.
Ponceau 4R is banned in the
Allura red (E129)
Allura red is an artificial, red food colouring. A research study published by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) in September 2007 showed that a mixture of artificial food colourings including allura red and one food preservative, could affect hyperactive behaviour in susceptible children.
Under EC guidelines, medicines should carry a warning that Allura red “may cause allergic reactions”. Foods and drinks carry no such warning, despite been consumed in much greater quantities.
Allura red is banned from all foods and drinks for the under threes.
Allura red is used in a wide variety of sweets, milkshake powders and other food and drink products.
Sodium benzoate (E211)
Sodium benzoate is an artificial food preservative. A research study published by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) in September 2007 showed that mixtures of artificial food colourings and sodium benzoate could affect hyperactive behaviour in susceptible children.
According to the FSA, studies have also shown that sodium benzoate and other benzoates (E210, E211, E212, E213, E214, E215, E216, E217, E218 and E219) could make the symptoms of asthma and eczema worse in children who already have these conditions.
Under EC guidelines, medicines should carry a warning that sodium benzoate and other benzoates may be “mildly irritant to the skin, eyes and mucous membranes”. Foods and drinks carry no such warning, despite been consumed in much greater quantities.
Sodium benzoate is banned from all foods and drinks for the under threes, but is allowed in medicines aimed at children of the same age.
Sodium benzoate is widely used in soft drinks and is also found in children’s medicines and other food and drink products.
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