Parents have been warned of the effects of food dyes and food additives on their children's behaviour after new research found a possible link to hyperactivity.

A Food Standards Agency (FSA) study of 300 random children found they behaved impulsively and lost concentration after a drink containing additives. Full story Here 

The FSA now says hyperactive children might benefit from fewer additives. This is not the first study to make a link between additives and hyperactive behaviour, but a wider age range of children were selected than in previous research, and not all had behavioural problems. Lead researcher Professor Jim Stevenson said "We know that many other influences are at work but this at least is one a child can avoid.”

The following is a complete list of synthetic food dyes and colours and some of the preservatives and antioxidants currently used by food manufacturers that should be avoided while on the Feingold Food Programme.

Food Dyes and Colours

E102 Tartrazine

E104 Quinoline Yellow

E110 Sunset Yellow FCF

E122 Carmoisine or Azorubine

E123 Amaranth

E124 Ponceau 4R or Cochineal

E127 Erythrosine B5

E128 Red 2G

E129 Allura Red AC

E131 Patent Blue

E132 Indigo carmine or Indigotine

E133 Brilliant Blue FCF

E142 Green S (Acid Brilliant Grn)

E151 Black PN (Brilliant Black BN)

E154 Brown FK (kipper brown)

E155 Brown HT

E161(g) Canthaxanthin

E173 Aluminium

E180 Pigment Rubine