Seeing red over food colours

Katherine Rich. Photo/ Herald on Sunday

Food authorities are investigating whether they should ban artificial food colours from breakfast cereals and confectionery items following a study that suggests they may pose a cancer risk, as well as causing hyperactivity in children and allergies.

The new research, conducted by The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) in the US, called Food Dyes: A Rainbow of Risks, claims some synthetic chemicals do not improve the nutrition of foods, but can bring about behavioural problems in children and even be carcinogenic to all.

Food Standards Australia New Zealand is looking into the findings.

Spokeswoman Lydia Buchtman said if there was any clear evidence of a link to cancer and other health issues, bans could be imposed. But she said peer reviewed scientific research had previously deemed colours were at such low levels in foods in New Zealand they were safe.

Buchtman said there were no specific food products listed in the new US report. Her authority has previously investigated 16 colours found in Kiwi foods and deemed them to be at safe levels.

They included foods from breakfast cereals, pastry, savoury snack foods, icecream, confectionery, cakes, muffins, to biscuits, toppings and savoury sauces.

In drinks, colours could be found in some pre-mixed alcoholic drinks, flavoured milks, cordials, soft and fruit drinks.

Buchtman said previous research claiming some foods caused hyperactivity was "weak".

Food intolerances affected a small percentage of the population and this could be managed by individuals avoiding some foods with medical advice.

Foods were already clearly labelled to assist the public.

Food and Grocery Council chief executive Katherine Rich said the US report was "sensationalist".

Most New Zealand manufacturers used colours well below the permitted levels and there were strict safety rules to ensure public safety, she said.

Colourings had a lot of functional uses like adding "attractiveness".

Most children would find a clear, colourless jelly "joy-less".