Friday, March 26, 2010
So artificial food colouring is the first chemical on the list that I want to discuss. The word"artificial" gives it away! Artificial is obviously not food and is not going to nourish your body.
I don't even know if I need to even expand on this topic! haha.
But if you have any processed foods in your cupboards check how many products have food colouring. You will find it in everything from cereals, muesli bars, sport drinks, lotions and shampoos, to OTC and prescription medicines.
There are 9 artificial colours approved for use by the FDA!
Artificial colours look great. They make food look vibrant and appealing. The majority of food colours are made with petroleum. They are a derivative of Petrochemicals and Coal tar. These chemicals are in no way made to be ingested by humans or any other animal. In fact, food dye is pulled off of the market regularly because of health concerns. Yellow #2 food dye will likely be the next to go. It’s be shown to cause ADHD, multiple types of cancer, male sterility, and many other issues.
Whenever you see a colour followed by a number in the list of ingredients, this is an indication to avoid that product. These include red #3 and #40, yellow #5 and #6, blue #1 and #2 and plus green #3. Ingredients such as yellow #6 have been linked to possible kidney and adrenal tumors. Yellow #6 has been banned in Sweden and Norway.
There has been links between kids hyperactivity behaviour and food additives. There are also claims that artificial colours can cause depression, anxiety and attention deficit disorder (ADD) persit.
The Food Safety Standards Agency states that: "All additives must pass strict safety checks before they can be used in foods and if any new evidence were to emerge from this or other work their safety will be reviewed."
I think it is sad that we have to wait for scientific research to prove there dangerousness and in the mean time human beings are used as guinea pigs. Don't wait for research.. Use your common sense. If your great ancestors would have no idea what it is, then it is not meant for human consumption!
If you require food colouring for a specific recipe, you can find healthier alternatives such as extracts of tumeric, bluberry and beet at your health food store.
As you actively start reading food labels, be aware that food manufactures can also call it "natural food colouring"... just because it says natural does not mean it is a whole food! It is not!

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Katie
Whangarei, Northland, New Zealand
Hi.. Im Katie. I am 20 years old. I am a student nurse. I love learning about healthy eating and living healthy lifestyles. There are so many lies and myths about the food we eat today and I am determined to spread the word. If you have any questions don't be shy to ask. Email me at k_rotgans@hotmail.com P.S I am not a doctor, I do not diagnose conditions. I am just hear to educate myself and others. Any symptoms I address please see your doctor.
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