The additives tested in the study were sunset yellow (E110) – a colouring found in fruit squashes, carmoisine (E122) – a red colouring used in jellies, tartrazine (E102) – yellow colouring in ice lollies, soft drinks and mushy peas, ponceau 4R (E124) – a red colouring, quinoline yellow (E104) and allura red AC (E129).
In the UK study, 300 children were randomly given one of three drinks, either a mix of food colourings, a drink that had the average daily additive intake of a child of their age or a "placebo" drink with no added colourings. Their hyperactivity levels of the children were measured before and after they had had the drinks.
The FSA advised parents of hyperactive children in particular to be aware of the potential risks from the food dyes, but campaigners think a lot more should be done and as soon as possible.
