How much artificial colour did you allow your kid to consume today?

A video from Bihar showing a vendor colouring cucumbers bright green has reignited concern over artificial food dyes. We look at the health impact of artificial food colours in everyday food items.

In Short

• Several states banned Rhodamine B in cotton candy and Gobi Manchurian
• FSSAI permits eight synthetic colours, but only within strict category limits
• Erythrosine raised concern after animal studies found thyroid tumours in rats

A vendor from Bihar was caught on camera last week allegedly colouring pale cucumbers bright green. The video was widely circulated on social media and sparked concerns and a conversation around food colouring.

But what about the artificial colour hiding in your kid’s toothpaste, breakfast cereal, your child's cough syrup and almost every packaged product or even bakery item that they consume daily?

In 2024, several Indian states, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Goa, banned the use of artificial colouring agents like Rhodamine B in cotton candy and Gobi Manchurian. Karnataka also cracked down on the use of colours in kebabs and pani puri.

Basically, this happens at both commercial levels and is also a common practice in small shops such as bakers' and vendors'. They use whatever is cheap, convenient and gives the brightest colours.

However, the use of artificial food colours in kids’ diets is a health concern, as it’s widely found in processed snacks and candies. We discuss more about the health risks associated with food dyes, but let’s understand what these food colours are.

PERMITTED COLOURS VS BANNED COLOURS

According to a research study, most coloured food items (83.6%) were found to use permitted colours in India, but what exactly are they and which ones are non-permitted, and how often are they used?

Food safety authorities around the world, including the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), the US FDA, and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), regulate which colours are permitted, in what amounts, and in which food categories. It is illegal to add any unapproved colouring agent to food. In India, FSSAI has approved 8 synthetic food colours in India.

The most widely used food dyes allowed in India within permissible limits are Allura Red AC, Erythrosine, Tartrazine, Sunset Yellow FCF and Carmoisine and can be found in a lot of processed foods. All the colours are identified by an International Numbering System (INS) code.

Erythrosine, or INS 127, also called Red Dye 3, has caused thyroid tumours in male rats at high exposure. “Because of this, the US FDA has revoked its authorisation in food and ingested drugs, with a phase-out period," explained Dr Jayesh Sharma, a leading surgical oncologist based in Raipur.

He noted that, although this does not prove that Red 3 causes cancer in humans, “it is enough reason to avoid making it a regular part of children’s foods".

Also, whether synthetic colourants are used alone or in combination, their overall concentration in food and beverage items is typically limited to 100 parts per million (ppm). The restriction may go up to 200 ppm for specific product categories such syrups, drinks, and candies.

Now even the approved dyes have been discovered to be above the 100 ppm regulatory limit in India. Erythrosine and tartrazine were found in mango shakes and baked food items above the regulatory limit, according to reports.

The bigger issue is adulteration, noted Dr Sharma. “This means industrial colours being used in food items to make them look brighter and more attractive. This can happen in unregulated small-scale operations such as local halwais, street food vendors, and loose powdered spice sellers may sometimes use whatever is cheap, convenient and gives the brightest colour."

Then there are two industrial dyes that are prohibited in India: metanil yellow and rhodamine B. According to media sources, metanil has been found in turmeric, jaggery, ladoos, and besan and Rhodamine B in dishes like Gobi Manchurian and cotton candy.

HEALTH RISKS OF ARTIFICIAL FOOD COLOURS

Some research has linked particular food dyes to behavioural effects in children. But available research highlights that food dyes can make some and not all children hyperactive or irritable.

But there is no conclusive evidence to link anxiety or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), although they could make those conditions worse.

According to Delhi-based renowned paediatrician Dr. Anupam Sibal: “Evidence suggests that artificial food dyes may contribute to hyperactivity and behavioural changes in a subset of children, but they are not considered a proven direct cause of ADHD or behavioural disorders.”

Also, the evidence is mixed and not strong enough to establish a direct cause-and-effect relationship, he explained.

HOW TO ELIMINATE ADDITIVES FROM A CHILD’S DIET?

The easiest fix is to offer whole or minimally processed foods and encourage a balanced diet rich in fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and minimally processed foods.

Dr Sibal noted that reading food labels carefully can immensely help and limit foods containing multiple artificial colours and additives. “Foods with unusually bright, neon, or vibrant colours often contain higher quantities of synthetic dyes," he said.

So scan the ingredient list, keep an eye on colours, watch for terms like 'artificial colours' and 'synthetic colours', and try simple snack swaps; offer a bowl of colourful fruits instead of fries, chips or nachos.

Common foods that may contain artificial colours include candies and gummies, instant noodles, cereals, bakery frosting, energy drinks, flavoured yoghurts, chewing gums, ketchup and chips.

“Cutting back highly processed, colourful meals is the right thing to do because they are typically poor sources of nutrition. Avoid making colourful packaged foods a daily habit for kids,” advised Dr. Sharma.

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