A state report released today finds that consumption of synthetic food dyes can result in hyperactivity and other neurobehavioral problems in some children, and that children vary in their sensitivity to synthetic food dyes.
Synthetic Food Dye Risk Assessment
The California legislature provided funding to OEHHA to conduct a health effects assessment of the potential impacts of synthetic food dyes on neurobehavioral and other neurologic effects in children. OEHHA has finalized the report. The report includes the following food dyes, which are the most commonly consumed in the US, in its assessment:
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FD&C Blue No. 1 |
CAS 3844-45-9 |
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FD&C Blue No. 2 |
CAS 860-22-0 |
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FD&C Green No.3 |
CAS 2353-45-9 |
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FD&C Red No. 3 |
CAS 16423-68-0 |
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FD&C Red No. 40 |
CAS 25956-17-6 |
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FD&C Yellow No. 5 |
CAS 1934-21-0 |
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FD&C Yellow No. 6 |
CAS 2783-94-0 |
In conducting this health effects assessment, OEHHA evaluated the toxicology, epidemiology, clinical, and exposure literature and databases. OEHHA requested information relevant to the neurobehavioral effects of the synthetic food dyes from the public in 2018, and conducted a symposium on the neurological and neurobehavioral impacts of synthetic food dyes in October 2019. OEHHA’s draft report was released for a public review period in August 2020, and the draft underwent scientific peer review. OEHHA responded to the public comments and comments from the peer reviewers, and revised the draft report. The final report, “Health Effects Assessment: Potential Neurobehavioral Effects of Synthetic Food Dyes in Children”, is now available.
To download the final report, the comments from the public, the peer reviews, and OEHHA’s responses to both public comments and comments from the peer reviewers, please scroll down to the announcement of the release.
For information about the OEHHA’s Synthetic Food Dye Risk Assessment, please contact Sam Delson at (916) 764-0955 or Sam.Delson@oehha.ca.gov.
Food Dyes News
The final report presents the available information on neurobehavioral effects of synthetic food dyes from studies in children and from studies in experimental animals.
At the request of the California Legislature, OEHHA conducted a health effects assessment of the potential impacts of synthetic food dyes on children, particularly for neurobehavioral and other neurologic effects.
Agenda, Times, Speakers, and Links to Videos.
The Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) is conducting a risk assessment of the potential impacts of synthetic food dyes on children, particularly for neurobehavioral and other neurologic effects.