No link between ADHD and food colouring, but more science needed, says expert

By Nathan Gray

- Last updated on GMT

Related tags Food coloring Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder Adhd Food and drug administration

There is no known link between food colouring and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), however wider safety issues remain, says one expert.

A more comprehensive scientific answer to the effects of food colouring additives on children is needed, according to Dr Andrea Chronis-Tuscano, an associate professor of psychology and director of the University of Maryland ADHD Program. She said that debate over whether artificial food colours contribute to childhood ADHD “has itself been coloured for decades by weak science and strong emotional beliefs.”

She added that as one of the scientists testifying before a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) panel on the issue last year, she had no qualms “in debunking the alleged connection between these food additives and ADHD.”

Colours, kids and controversy

Controversy over the safety of artificial food colours has been raging for years, but reached a new frenzy in 2007 following the publication of a highly controversial study conducted by the University of Southampton in the UK suggesting a link between six food dyes – the ‘Southampton Six’ – and hyperactivity in children.

While EFSA concluded that the results could not be used as a basis for altering the acceptable daily intakes of the colours in question, the European Parliament baffled many observers by insisting that products featuring the colours should nevertheless include warning labels noting that they “may have an effect on activity and attention in children”.

However, the US FDA Food Advisory Committee recently voted against recommending European-style warning labels on products containing artificial food colours in the US.

Scientific basis

Chronis-Tuscano said that the testimony from other experts on the panel on the recent FDA panel ‘convinces’ her that more conclusive research on the overall safety of artificial colours is needed.

She said that all parents “should think twice”​ before exposing children to artificial colours, but added that parents of children with ADHD “should not be misled into thinking that artificial dyes are the cause of the condition.”

“As a University of Maryland clinical psychologist specializing in the assessment and treatment of this disorder, I told the FDA panel unequivocally that no convincing evidence supports the idea that food colour additives cause ADHD or that strict elimination diets effectively treat the condition. I stand by this assessment,”​ she said.

However, Chronis-Tuscano added that she has concerns regarding the overall safety of artificial colours, noting that the FDA committee experts “pointed out that appropriate toxicology studies have not been conducted to determine the effects of these additives on developing brains at different ages.”

“Given the lack of hard evidence, I am not convinced that food colouring additives are dangerous, but I am also not convinced that they are not. It is certainly possible that some small subset of children have a unique sensitivity to these substances.”

“The issue shouldn't end here. We need better answers about the effects of these additives,”​ she warned.

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8 comments

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Bad Science

Posted by Jb,

My child has ADHD and its not that colours cause it but they absolutely effect their behaviour in a very bad way. Those "so called" experts in science I would like to ask them who is paying them for their research. It is no wonder people dont trust scientific findings anymore.

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Not causal - but additive

Posted by Karena,

While I agree somewhat with the Dr Chronis-Tuscano's sentiment that colours don't cause ADHD, I beleive, and the evidence suggests, that colours can both mimic and exacerbate the symptoms of ADHD and indeed other psychiatric and psychological conditions. I work with families who have food sensitivities and I have seen first hand the reactions to both colours added to the diet, and colours taken out (amongst a range of other substances). The argument isn't as black and white as some might make it out to be, and the jury is still out on the evidence base - but there is definitely a need for children to be kept away from these additives, at the very least until this research is completed so that we know they aren't having detrimental effects - colours aren't, weren't and haven't been tested for their effects on behaviour and/or attention proir to their approval for use. "First do no harm".

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Smoking GRAS

Posted by GRAS-shmash,

Jim, while these colors are Generally Recognized As Safe, keep in mind we're talking about sensitivities with an uncommon physical presentation. GRAS declaration just means that it's not toxic and won't kill you at the amount typically used.

There is a very, very big difference between sensitivity and toxicity, and I think you've confused an issue of sensitivity with toxicity (which is debatable itself as our definition of "toxic" is extremely narrow).

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