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Forget Sugar, Doctor Screams for FDA Regulation of Food Coloring

Forget Sugar, Doctor Screams for FDA Regulation of Food Coloring

"It's just ADHD. It's just cancer."

Boston and Washington, D.C. have recently waged war on sugary drinks. Now, one prominent physician is beginning a battle against another edible evil: food coloring.

On yesterday's episode of the daytime, Dr. Phil spin-off "The Doctors," Dr. Travis Stork became visible flustered while discussing how ADHD and cancer can be traced back to the dye being used to color food such as jelly beans.

The problem, Stork says, is that the food coloring is made with "petro-chemicals" and "coal tar."

When another doctor jokingly points out that it's just food coloring, Stork quips, "It's just ADHD. It's just cancer."

So what kind of science do the good doctors provide? "There are several studies showing that kids that take food coloring ... they have higher rates of ADHD," says Stork's colleague Dr. Jim Sears. Dr. Jim never elaborates on the studies but offers some advice to parents: "If you child is having a problem in school ... look at what they're eating."

So what is the whole point of the segment? You might have guessed by now. "These things are not good for us," Stork says, and "how the FDA allows these in so many of our foods, drives me crazy." Another doctor, Dr. Drew Ordon, reiterates the message: "The data is there showing that it has contributed to ADHD and things like that, yet the FDA leaves it there":

The problem is that the FDA does currently regulate food dye:

The Food and Drug Act in 1906 established a voluntary certification that regulated the coloring added to food by manufacturers. The Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act of 1938 further regulated what color enhancers went into any food, drugs or cosmetics. In 1960 a color additive had to be on the Food and Drug Administration's approved list to be used. In 1990 the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act required any food coloring must be listed on the label by its common name. All new colors must be tested and approved by petition the FDA. When added to the list, the colors may be restricted as to what food or products they are added to.

Apparently, that's not enough. And in light of what Meredith wrote last week, we shouldn't be too surprised if the FDA obliges to more regulation: "[N]ew government regulatory crackdowns on certain foods and beverages across the country are forcibly shaping new dietary habits for many Americans."

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Jonathon M. Seidl

Jonathon M. Seidl

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