Effects of food coloring on human health: Exposing the Impacts

Food colors have become an integral part of Indian cuisines, especially in the advanced food industries. If we think everyone can name numerous food items from our daily eating habits that are colored synthetically, their impact on human health often gets ignored.

Synthetic dyes are widely used in the market from vibrant colored candies to bright colored beverages and desserts. This use of color is dedicatedly done by food marketers to capture the attention of consumers.

Hence all of us need to understand the effects of food coloring on human health to promote the healthier and happier well-being of you and your loved ones.

Table of Contents

Food Colors

What are Food Colorings?

Food coloring is the process of adding a natural or synthetic material to your food items or beverages to color them or enhance their original color to make them look prettier and tastier. 

This material, or substance, exists in numerous forms. Synthetic dyes and natural dyes. Some of them are considered safe, while others have a slow health risk to human health depending on their usage.

Food colors are also used in many drinks, beverages, candies, soft drinks, baked goods, processed snacks, sauces, dressings and even in medications. It makes products or food items visually attractive but it is connected with potential health risks.

Types of Food Colorings

Synthetic Dyes: 

Synthetic dyes go through chemical processes they generally get derived from coal or petroleum and go through many processes and are manipulated through various compounds to obtain the desired color to use for foods and beverages.

These are especially used in large food industries and are often named Red 40, Yellow 5, and Blue 1, on food labels. Largely found on processed food items, beverages, and medications.

Natural Colorants:

Natural Food dyes generally come from natural resources like fruits, plants, vegetables, minerals, spices, and insects. From these pigments get extracted by methods of crushing, pressing, heating, or steeping. After extraction, this pigment gets concentrated and purified to use it in food products and beverages. 

Such food sources used for colours are beet juice (red), turmeric (Yellow) and Spirulina (Blue-Green). This is considered safer as compared to synthetic dyes.

Impact on Health

Allergic Reactions: 

Many individuals are allergic to certain food colours, and they feel some physical symptoms after consumption of it like hives, itching, respiratory issues, and gastrointestinal problems.

Hyperactivity in Children: 

Some research has proven that some children are very sensitive to synthetic food colors like FD & C colors example: Red 40 and Yellow 5. 

It's a tough debate, some studies show that this can affect children's health and is associated with hyperactivity and ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.) symptoms in children.

Carcinogenic Concerns: 

Some scientific studies conducted on animals have suggested a possible connection between synthetic dyes/color and the rising risk of cancer. It might impact humans directly because there are a lot of differences in metabolism, dosage and other factors.

There are two specific dyes closely examined for their possibility of Carcinogenic effect; those are red 3 and Yellow 6. Hence it's better to go for natural dyes rather than taking risks.

Neurological Effects: 

Research also proved that artificial synthetic food color and their consumption in food items can lead to neurological issues like migraines and headaches in sensitive human beings.

Additionally, some studies have also proven that it affects your cognitive performance and makes it difficult to concentrate on things and tasks.

Long-Term Health Risks:

Continuous consumption of artificial and synthetic dyes has lots of health risks in the long term, some individuals can become prone to allergic reactions due to food colors which can impact human well-being 

Regulatory Framework

In various countries, regulatory bodies regulate and set the standard for the usage of food dyes in industries for food items. 

In India FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) is responsible for setting food safety standards and they make sure to maintain permissible limits, usage guidelines, and safety criteria of using food dyes in the Indian food industry.

Colored Foods

Tips for Consumers

Read Labels:

Be mindful while buying the products especially when you are sensitive or allergic to certain additives. Read the labels listed on food products or listed coloring buys that suit you.

Opt for Natural Alternatives: 

You should choose natural over synthetic dyes, and choose products that are made from naturally derived plant-based sources whenever it's possible for you.

Moderation: 

Limit colored food items and beverages instead choose natural ones. Moderate use of synthetic dyes in your food and avoid it outside and reduce the possible health risks.

In the Bottom line:

While food colouring is visually appealing, it directly affects and impacts human health.  Synthetic dyes have sparked concern because of their health impact on individuals like allergic reactions, possible links to behavioral issues in children and long-term health risks together.

Regulatory organizations keep an eye on and maintain the safety standards associated with the usage of synthetic dyes. However, it's important to take care of your health by yourself only.

Hence it is essential to make informed choices conscious about the realm of food colorings and first prioritize your health and overall well-being.

F A Qs

Can food coloring cause health problems?

Yes, Actually food coloring has different impacts on people. For those who are sensitive, it may cause several health problems. Physical symptoms include rashes, itching, breathing difficulties, and gastrointestinal issues.

Is food coloring safe for humans?

Yes, if food color is natural then it can be considered safe but some individuals are very sensitive to synthetic dyes, in children, it can affect their cognitive health and memory power and in elders, there are signs of allergies.

Some synthetic food dyes are Blue 1, Red 4O, Yellow 6, Yellow 5 and Red 3. 

How do food dyes affect children?

Some children who are sensitive to natural dyes show physical symptoms and health risks like hyperactivity, ADHD(Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) behavioral changes also can be seen.