Recently, hundreds gathered outside the WK Kellogg headquarters in Michigan, U.S. to protest the use of artificial dyes and preservatives in the company’s popular cereals like Froot Loops, Apple Jacks and others. Activists and parents are demanding that Kellogg’s follow through on its 2015 promise to remove artificial additives like Red Dye No. 40 (E129), Blue Dye No. 1 (E133) and Yellow Dye No. 5 (E102) in the U.S. due to the long list of harmful health side-effects such as cancer, immunotoxicity and behavioural issues (hyperactivity - particularly in children).
The rally highlights an essential question for all of us: do we really know what’s in our food? For example, did you know that in Australia we are still using many of these food dyes in packaged foods (e.g. Skittles contain E129, 132, 102, and more) that many other countries have now banned?
How Are These Additives So Harmful?
Artificial food dyes, often derived from petroleum, are allowed under FDA standards but remain controversial. Research from the California Environmental Protection Agency points to possible links between synthetic dyes and neurobehavioral issues in children, which recently led California to ban certain dyes, including those in Froot Loops, from school meals. Many of these additives can still be found in Australian products, although many have been proven to have multiple disturbing health risks.
Check out this list of harmful additives below that are still permitted in Australia and NZ:
|
Code |
Name |
Associated Health Risks |
Banned or restricted in other countries |
|
102* |
Hyperactivity, asthma, rhinitis, urticaria and atopic dermatitis. |
UK, EU, previously banned in Norway |
|
|
104* |
Endocrine disruption, and Non-reproductive organ system toxicity. |
UK, EU, USA, Japan, Canada, previously banned in Norway |
|
|
110* |
Neurotoxicity, Endocrine disruption. |
UK, EU, previously banned in Norway |
|
|
122* |
Increased hyperactivity (particularly in children). |
UK, EU, USA, Canada, Japan, previously banned in Norway |
|
|
124* |
Endocrine disruption. |
UK, EU, USA, previously banned in Norway |
|
|
127 |
Cancer, hyperactivity in children. |
previously banned in Norway |
|
|
129* |
Hyperactivity, including ADHD, behavioural changes like irritability and depression, allergic reactions, hives and asthma, sneezing, watery eyes, skin irritation and migraines. |
UK, EU, previously banned in Norway |
|
|
132 |
Respiratory tract toxicity and hypotension. |
previously banned in Norway |
|
|
133** |
Neurotoxicity, endocrine disruption, irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs). |
previously banned in Norway |
|
|
142 |
Allergic reactions (e.g. skin allergies), asthma, hyperactivity, insomnia, and anaemia. |
USA, Japan, Canada, previously banned in Norway |
Transparency Beyond Labels
So, why do companies continue to use these artificial ingredients in some regions while offering safer alternatives elsewhere? The short answer often boils down to cost and convenience. While brands may take shortcuts by using cheaper ingredients, this comes at a cost to consumers’ health. Choosing food with simple, natural ingredients not only benefits our well-being but also helps ensure that food companies shift towards prioritising health over convenience.
Making Choices That Reflect Our Values
Understanding the origins and ingredients in our food empowers us to make choices aligned with our values. Here’s how we can make a difference:
- Read Beyond the Labels: Look up the ingredients in your food. Research any unfamiliar additives and consider their potential effects.
- Choose Brands Committed to Transparency: Companies that prioritise clear labelling and use natural ingredients set a higher standard for quality and safety.
- Support Legislative Change: California’s new laws signal a shift toward stricter food regulations in the rest of the world. Supporting these changes in your community by only buying from businesses that you know you can trust can contribute to safer standards for everyone.
So, next time you’re checking the ingredients label, consider what your choice is supporting.
