• View ecochildsplay’s profile on Facebook
  • View ecochildsplay’s profile on Twitter
  • View ecochildsplay’s profile on Instagram
  • View ecochildsplay’s profile on Pinterest
  • View Jennifer Lance’s profile on LinkedIn
  • View ecochildsplay’s profile on YouTube
  • View ecochildsplay’s profile on Google+

Eco Child's Play

Live a greener, healthier life!

  • Environment
  • Pregnancy
  • Food & Recipes
  • Health News
  • Parenting
  • Green Toys
  • Beauty & Beauty Products
  • Green Home & Cleaning
  • Contact

5 Tips to Avoid Artificial Food Dyes this Easter

This weekend, children will be hunting for food colored eggs and candies full of artificial food dyes. Bright pink marshmallow bunnies, blue dyed eggs, multi-colored jelly beans…it’s an overload of these petroleum-based colorants.

We first reported about the concerns of food additives being linked to hyperactivity in 2007 citing an even earlier study:

It is not only children with ADHD who are affected by additives, but all children’s behavior changes as a result of these substances. According to a 2004 WebMD report,

British researchers found removing food additives from the diet of a group of 3-year-olds caused a reduction in the children’s hyperactive behavior reported by their parents. And when the food colorings and preservatives were added back into the children’s diets, the parents reported an increase in hyperactivity.

Just a few weeks ago, the FDA met to examine this link between food dyes and hyperactivity in children. We are behind the Europeans on this one, NPR reports:

Despite concerns with the British study, European lawmakers now require a warning label on foods that contain artificial dyes. It lets parents know their kids might become hyperactive if they consume the product.

Manufacturers overseas, instead of adding a warning label, have turned to natural dyes made from beets and turmeric. Some U.S.-based manufacturers are considering switching to natural dyes, but as the food industry points out, natural dyes are more expensive and less stable.

It’s not just obnoxiously colored candy that is loaded with food dyes, but even childhood favorites like Mac and Cheese.   Healthy Child Healthy World explains:

Do you have neon colors in your kitchen? In kitchens across the country, artificial food dyes can be found in everything from packaged macaroni and cheese to breakfast cereal to practically every piece of candy your child has ever put in her mouth. But, artificial food dyes have been linked to hyperactivity in kids (ADHD), cancer and serious food allergies, and GUESS WHAT? Due to enormous consumer pressure, large manufacturers like Kraft Foods voluntarily removed these artificial food dyes from products they sell in other countries, but not from the same products they sell in the US!

This Easter, be sure to avoid these dangerous food chemicals by:

1.  Dye eggs naturally.  Even though the food dye is only on the shell of the egg, we have all seen how it leaches through to the white of the hardboiled egg.

2. Fill your child’s Easter basket with natural candies ([amazon_link id=”B0023V64N6″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Yummy Earth[/amazon_link], [amazon_link id=”B002TN3WK6″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Endangered Species[/amazon_link], etc.) or fruit

3.  Fill the basket with natural [amazon_link id=”B0019D2BFE” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]raffia[/amazon_link] grass to avoid cross contamination from that brightly colored plastic stuff.

4.  Exchange any artificial food dyed candy your child may receive from well-meaning friends and family for the good stuff.

5.  Make healthy muffins or cookies instead candy.

With these five simple tips, you can avoid food dyes during this spring holiday and beyond.

Image:  Attribution Some rights reserved by Incase.

  • Twitter
  • Email
  • Pinterest
  • Print
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • More
  • WhatsApp
  • Tumblr
  • Reddit
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Subscribe!

« AAP Demands Removal of Vaccine Awareness Billboard in Times Square
Hank D and the Bee: Earth Day present (from Bee) »

Comments

  1. Betsy (Eco-novice) says

    April 20, 2011 at 2:41 pm

    Trader Joe’s sells candy made with natural colors and flavors too. I bought some to swap out with the crappy candy my kids will inevitably receive from well-meaning friends and family. Love the idea of baked goods instead!

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Hard Boiled Eggs DIY: Natural Dyes for Natural Easter Egg Hunts – Eco Child’s Play | Talk Trends says:
    April 23, 2011 at 1:05 pm

    […] Earth Day and Easter falling so close together this year, as well as the bad news on artificial food dyes, natural Easter egg dyeing has never been more […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Search Content

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter


About Eco Child’s Play

Our ethos is to provide news, information, and opinions on natural, green parenting to help your family live a greener, healthier life! Additionally, we offer personal consulting services to help you achieve your green living goals.

Jennifer is a vegetarian, yoga teacher, gardener, hiker, teacher, and mother that has been living off-the-grid for over 20 years.

Contact Eco Child’s Play

Convenient Plastic Container Free Dropps Laundry & Dishwashing Pods

cbd salve joy organics

CBD Products that Actually Deliver: Joy Organics

More from the archives!

MaraNatha Nut Butter and Yoga Give Away: We Have a Winner

Scientific Panel Accuses FDA of Ignoring Scientific Evidence on BPA

Aromatherapy Shower Kit: Turn your shower into a spa

WTF?: Win a Trip to Disneyland from Mama Bite

Luxe Children’s Products: madii & dyl Cleansing Flannel

wama hemp underwear

The Most Comfortable Underwear is Made of Hemp: WAMA Review

Simple Organic Ingredients: Better Than Milk

Information

  • About & Contact
  • Archive
  • Blog
  • Consulting Services
  • Disclaimer, Disclosure, & Sponsored Posts
  • Privacy Policy

What’s really in dog food? 5 dog food ingredients to avoid

Recycle Your Used Wrapping Paper Into Special Thank You Cards

BPA Free Boon Bendable Baby Spoon is Helpful to Toddlers Who are Learning to Self Feed

Buyer Beware: Lead in Jewelry at Popular Stores

WaPo: Swine Flu Vaccine Will Contain Mercury

Popular Categories

  • Breastfeeding
  • Health News
  • Natural Childbirth
  • Parenting
  • Education
  • Product Review
  • Green Toys

Get our posts via email

Please stay in touch!

You might also like to read…

A Review of the Eco-Positive Children's Book: The Legend of Honey Hollow

Dioxin Stunts Breast Growth During Pregnancy, Study Finds

The Best Ever Blueberry Spelt Coffee Cake Recipe!

bubble gum environmental problems

Environmental and Health Problems of Chewing Bubble Gum

Tip o' the Day: Boil Those Weeds Away!

Copyright © 2022 · Divine theme by Restored 316

Copyright © 2022 · Divine Theme On Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.