Health Aspects of Colorants Used In Food: Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Abstract

Natural and artificial food colorants(AFC) are used for various purposes in foods as a food additive for many years. Their use are regulated by the legislations in the world. There are organizations authorized in this regard. In our country, food additives show no harmful effects on health when used according to the “Turkish Food Codex-Food Additives Regulation” AFC intake (per capita/day) has increased in parallel to the increase in the consumption of processed foods. AFCs are discussed for a long time to whether they cause to hyperactivity symptoms or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder(ADHD) in children in addition to the positive use of AFCs in foods as well. AFCs that their effects mostly researched are tartrazine, sunset yellow, quinoline yellow, ponso 4R, carmoisine, erythrosine and allura red AC. The results of the studies are inconsistent. AFCs are not the main reason of ADHD. It has been observed that these AFCs don’t cause hyperactivity directly; but promote existing symptoms in sensitive groups like children. There’s no consensus in such regard in the world. Further studies are needed to be made.