It’s enticing to see food filled with red, yellow or blue dye. But, did you ever think how food dyes affect your family’s health? Other than color, food dyes are used for different flavors.
I know you can’t expect a candy without delicious color. But, don’t you think you must know how these food dyes are made? Food dyes are made from artificial and naturally derived colors. FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) approved only 7 artificial food coloring, which includes blue dye.
Anyhow, in few people food coloring results in allergy. Blue dye allergy symptoms include hyperactive behavior in children and it is accompanied by rainbow of risks.
There are two blue dye approved by FDA, namely Blue No.1 (Brilliant blue) which is derived from coal tar and Blue No.2 (indigotine) which is a synthetic version of plant based indigo.
Though toxicology studies backed blue dye as safe, Center for Science in the Public Interest filed a petition to ban these food dyes. In 2007 a study carried out by THE LANCET (UK Medical Journal) concluded and lead European Parliament to order that products should carry a warning label on it.
Natural source of blue dye comes from indigo plant. Experts say that dying industries use indigo is not colorfast. Synthesizing blue dyes started after 19th century.
All chemical ingredient elements are potentially harmful to health. Depending on your sensitivity blue dye allergy symptoms appear.
The U. S Food and Drug administration has accepted that the 9 artificial dyes can be used in the food beneath Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. The executive director of the Centre for Science in the public Interest, Michael F. Jacobson said in a consultation with CBS News that the dyes add not anything to the nutritive value of the food and may not be safe.
They are concurrent to cancer in animals and behaviour exertion in the children, which is a severe anxiety as the dyes are extensively used in the food such as the cereals and candies that are marketed to the children.
Sporadically you will be seeing the Word “Lake” used with the dyes on the food or drug labels. Dyes are the liquid colorants that are soluble in water, propylene glycol or ethanol. Lakes are dry and non soluble dyes are used to coat products such as candies or pills.
FD&C blue No.2 is also known as indigo blue; it is a synthetic description of the indigo. This dye is naturally produced from the plants. Indigo blue on the other hand is a petroleum product with the chemicals formula C16H10N2O2. It is also used in the baked goods, snacks, ice cream, cereals, cherries and candies.
In a cluster of the studies it is review by the centre for science in the Public Interest, Blue No.2 did not affect the reproduction or cause birth defects in the rabbits or rats. Nevertheless, male rats in one of the group that received a high quality of the dosage of the Blue no.2 had statistically significant increases in the brain cancers and other abnormal cell development.
No human studies have been reported and the experts have disagreed about the safety of blue No.2, accordingly to the CSPI. Conversely, the U. S Food and Drug Administration say that FD&C blue no. 2 is safe for using in the food and also in the supplements, according to the Code of Federal Regulations.
The CSPI asserts that are present in the blue No. 2 is not safe for the human consumption, in view of the fact that it is adding nothing to the nutritive value of the food and evidence for its safety is questionable, CSPI suggest, it not be used in the foods.
Blue Dye Allergy Symptoms
As almost all foods available in stores are incorporated with blue dye or other food dyes, it’s very difficult to avoid food coloring. One of the best ways is to check ingredients before having it.
You may assume that, only food in blue color consists of blue dyes. Even other foods in white or red color may include blue dye. So it’s best to check ingredients or ask experts. Not just food items even medical tablets may contain food dyes.
The Cleveland Clinic reports states that food allergy symptoms are similar to food intolerance. Blue dye allergy symptoms include nausea, diarrhea, stomach pain, heartburn, bloating, gas cramps, vomiting, nervousness and headaches.
Few more allergic symptoms caused due to blue dye are as follows
- Hyperactivity
- Skin ailments
- Breathing problems
- Ickies (headaches, stomach aches and vomiting)
- Aggression
- Sleeping problem
- Lack of attention
- Lack of impulse control
Blue dye allergy treatment
If you’ve one of these allergic symptoms, then reach the doctor for diagnosis. You must initially know what triggers allergic reaction in your body.
An allergic reaction triggers when external substance enters the body, immune system generates histamine that leads in allergic symptoms that may differ from person to person.
Once you’re aware about the irritants, avoid them. Apart from checking ingredients on the back side of the product, you must ask manufactures or experts about its ingredients. Not just food, even medicines contain dye that may stimulate allergic reaction. Ask medical experts about ingredients in tablets.
The key to preventing an allergic reaction is to avoid any of the foods that contains the allergens which will be causing you reactions. Total avoidance is easier said than done, though. Dyes are hiding in the foods where you would under no circumstances expect them.
They can be even lurk in some of the medicines and also in the supplements. All you need to do is to become a label detective, always reading the list of the ingredients very carefully with every product that you will purchase.
If you are not sure that whether a certain food or medicines are containing the dye, call the manufacturer to ask, or immediately let alone it.
Consult your physician for diagnosis.
