Dangers That Lurk in Pantries: Toxic Food Dyes in Kids' Snacks

Many kids today may have impaired health owing to artificial food dyes in foodstuff they are ingesting in amounts far more than previously done, as the journal Clinical Pediatrics published.

The colored breakfast cereals, waffles, white marshmallows, bright orange cheese puffs and other junk foods that many kids and adults consume may be palate-pleasing, but they are not without health risks.

The amount of artificial food dyes certified by regulatory bodies has risen more than five times from 1950 to 2010, the Clinical Pediatrics journal stated.

The health dangers from regular intake of foods with artificial food dyes may range from allergic reactions to behavioral problems in children. Food coloring was even found to aggravate attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in the most vulnerable kids.

Some of the most common culprits for reported cases of rashes and other negative effects on kids are Yellow #5 (Tartrazine), Yellow 6, Red #40 and BHT(butylatedhydroxytoluene), according to the Healthy Bio Food website .

Though generally used as a guarantee for safety, the use of additives beyond certain levels may have scary toxic effects.

Health-conscious consumers nowadays make it a point to read labels to check the presence of health offenders such as artificial food coloring.

Indeed, a growing number of individuals are now aware of the dangers of food dyes.  Some entities have even tweeted about food coloring's dangers, and the fact that some families are able to find certain additives' secret hiding places.

However, there are thousands of other shoppers, oftentimes in a rush, who still end up tossing an item or two, or more food dye-tainted products in their grocery carts.

The harmful effects of food dyes are avoided in countries where they have been banned. Unfortunately, artificial food dyes remain perfectly acceptable in other parts of the world including Asia and America, making many parents worried.