Sodium Benzoate and food colours increase hyperactivity in children

According to the UK Food Standards Agency, parents of children showing signs of hyperactivity are being advised that cutting certain artificial colours from their diets might have some beneficial effects. The colours – Sunset yellow (E110), Quinoline yellow (E104), Carmoisine (E122), Allura red (E129), Tartrazine (E102) Ponceau 4R (E124), and Sodium benzonate (E211) – were studied as part of new FSA-commissioned research.

Sodium benzoate in association with citric or ascorbic acid has also been linked with cancer-risk from soft drinks due to the formation of benzene. Food safety systems like HACCP provide safe technologies of cleaning, disinfection and packaging which turn the use of preservatives such as sodium benzoate unnecessary. The need of preservatives indicate a loophole of cleaning and food safety of the production line. There are natural colours which may be used instead of artificial colours.

Food producers should turn away from artificial colours and chemical preservatives. Back to nature.
Consumers should carefully study the ingredient list and avoid foods with artificial colours, preservatives and other chemical additives.