Additives linked to behavior. (Update).

Coloring agents in foods are causing children to become hyperactive and disruptive, according to new research funded by the U.K. government. The U.K. Asthma and Allergy Research Center studied the impact of artificial colorings on 277 three-year-olds over a two-week period. Behavior was then monitored over the following two weeks, during which the children were given placebos that had no additives. Parents were asked to fill out assessment forms to track any marked difference in the children's behavior.

Researchers found that "substantial effects" were detected by parents, and the study concluded that "significant changes in children's hyperactive behavior could he produced by removing colorings and additives from their diet."

The report claims that all children would benefit from such a ban, not just those who are hyperactive. It adds that, if problem additives were removed from all children's diets in the United Kingdom, hyperactivity would be reduced from one child in six to one child in 17. It is the first time that U.K. government-sponsored research has linked additives to children's behavior, despite growing anecdotal evidence of a link from parents.

The additives investigated in the study were tartrazine (E102), sunset yellow (E110), carmoisine (E122), and ponceau 4R (E124). Colorings are found in 78 percent of children's deserts, 42 percent of milkshakes, 93 percent of sweets, 32 percent of crisps, and 41 percent of children's drinks. The preservative sodium benzoate, or E211, also was investigated.

The U.K. Food Commission is calling for a worldwide ban on these additives, pointing out that restrictions on their use already exist in countries such as the United States, Norway and Denmark. (Adapted, with permission, from Environmental Health News, Vol. 17, No. 42, 2002.).