Avoid Food Dyes Suspected to Cause Hyperactivity in Children

From the Danish Information Center for Environment & Health today, an article about the success of a Danish organization, the Consumer Council, of requiring labeling on packages of products that contain certain kinds of dyes. 

These dyes have been suspected to cause hyperactivity in children. They are

* tatrazin - E102
* quinoline yellow - E104
* sunset yellow - E110
* azorubin - E122
* panceau 4R - E124
* allura red AC - E129

While these E#s are not banned from products, if the product contains one or more, the packaging must be labeled,  "May have a negative effect on children's activity and ability to concentrate."  This does not apply to alcoholic drinks (which hopefully, children are not drinking!).  This law goes into effect starting 20 July 2010.

The benefit for the consumer is that instead of combing through the ingredients list, she will easily be able to see the warning on the package and know that it contains these dyes.