In September, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation banning the artificial food dyes Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1, Blue 2, and Green 3 in the state’s public schools. Most of these chemicals are derived from crude oil and petroleum and are present in many processed foods. The primary reason for their ban stems from concerns that they may exacerbate ADHD symptoms. Additionally, various studies have suggested they have carcinogenic properties.
At Parker, these food dyes are present in offerings in the cafeteria, and few students seem to be aware. While California remains the only state to take legislative action, some schools are taking matters into their own hands. For instance, the New York City Department of Education is working with the Life Time foundation to implement a food-dye-free policy in the city’s schools. This information raises important questions such as why is action led by individual states and schools and not by the federal government? And, as food-safety concerns grow, should Parker take a stand?
Unfortunately, food dyes pose a very real threat in regards to hyperactivity especially in young children. The California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) conducted a study examining the effects of artificial food dyes on children. In their 311-page document Food Dyes Health Effects Assessment, they state that “the current human epidemiologic evidence supports a relationship between food dye exposure and adverse behavioral outcomes in some children, both with and without preexisting behavioral disorders.” A cited 2004 study, published in the Archives of Disease in Childhood by Bateman et al., found that artificial food dyes caused a 39% increase in hyperactivity in a sample of 1,873 preschool children. The correlation between these additives and cancer, though, is on the basis of weaker evidence and research in that area is still limited. However, Red 40, Yellow 5, and Yellow 6 have all been found to be contaminated with Benzidine, a carcinogenic chemical.
The FDA is frequently criticized for its approval system of food additives. Food manufacturers can add whatever ingredients they please and self-certify that they are “generally recognized as safe” (GRAS) without even notifying the FDA.
The GRAS system was established in 1958 for the purpose of streamlining additive regulation and to better allocate the FDA’s limited resources. It was initially intended for ingredients like salt, water, and yeast, but the system allows approval of many harmful additives such as sodium benzoate, BHA, and BHT. Artificial food dyes are an exception to this system because of the Color Additive Amendment of 1960: they require actual approval. What California banned in schools is regulated by the FDA and was approved through a thorough process. Yet, this approval was granted in the 1960s, when our knowledge of the safety of these additives was limited. Concerns about the potential dangers of food dyes were first raised by Dr. Benjamin Feingold in the early 1970s. Since then, nonprofits like the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) have been advocating and petitioning for restrictions on artificial food dyes. However, the FDA has taken little initiative to revisit its approvals, with some remaining untouched since they were last approved all those decades ago. Yellow 6, Blue 2, and Green 3 were only reviewed once in the 1980s. The federal government’s lack of initiative is what prompted California to take action themselves. All the while, countries like France, Norway, Finland, and Switzerland have already completely banned or restricted these dyes. Recently, though, Red 3, a food dye which was definitively proven to cause cancer, was finally banned by the FDA from use in food. While this initiative should be applauded, it is important to note that it was banned 35 years ago in cosmetics. For 35 years you could ingest this toxic chemical, but you could not put it on your skin.
At Parker, food dyes are present in many cafeteria offerings including Cheddar and Sour Cream Ruffles, Nacho Cheese Doritos, and Gatorade. Do we ban items containing these harmful additives? Or do we leave the choice up to students? Well, there is one big problem regarding people deciding for themselves. They simply are not educated on the risks of artificial food dyes and the flaws of the FDA that result in their authorization. Even if people do become sufficiently educated to make their own decisions, we have to remember that many lower-schoolers and preschoolers will not be able to understand the risks, or will not have the maturity to make the healthiest choice.
Parker accommodates many students with learning difficulties such as ADHD. Allowing access to substances that can worsen attention is concerning. In a progressive school that is very focused on the well-being of its students, we should absolutely consider taking steps towards restricting harmful additives. However, banning these food dyes from the cafeteria may be unrealistic. Many students love the ultra-processed foods that contain these additives, and the cafeteria’s income could be affected by their removal. Another possible solution, and possibly the most realistic one, would be to educate middle and upper schoolers. Simultaneously, younger students could be restricted from purchasing foods with these additives at the cafeteria checkouts. Alternatively, if the Snack Shack returned, these items could be sold exclusively there.
The purpose of this article is not to criticize Parker and the cafeteria for allowing these additives. Parker is an institution made up of educators, not nutritional scientists. In addition, Quest Food, which manages the cafeteria, prioritizes healthy eating by eliminating trans fats and MSG, using USDA certified meat, and providing hormone-free milk. Instead, I wanted to call out what is harmful but has been hidden in plain sight. Many Parker students consume these food additives without knowing about their health risks. The point of this article is to encourage people to rethink their food choices and aim to inspire tangible change at Parker, for the benefit of the community.
