Can The Colours!
Additive Free Aussie Kids - Campaign calls on FSANZ.
An Australian campaign will fight to help 'keep the artificial colours' off the shelf and out of reach of Australian children.
The high profile Kids First Campaign, armed with the tagline 'Can the Colours', has been established as a joint initiative between Additive Alert, The Food Intolerance Network and Additive Education in an effort tosee Food Standards Australia & New Zealand (FSANZ) follow the lead of the UK and remove six recognised controversial artificial colours from a wide range of foods that contain them.
In September 2007, studies from the University of Southampton UK confirmed there was 'clear evidence' that 6 colours commonly added to processed foods could increase hyperactive tendencies in children.
Combinations of this rather perturbing palette - consisting of colours 102 (tartrazine), 102 (quinoline yellow), 110 (sunset yellow), 122 (carmoisine), 124 (ponceau red) and 129 (allura red) - were found to elevate children's tendencies towards increased movement, impulsivity and inattention.
The colourful 'black' list has subsequently been ordered off the menu in the UK, and will be forced off the ingredients list of all food items by the end of 2009.
In Australia, they will remain available. According to Kid's First, the six can befound on supermarket shelves today in products that cover everything from fruit juices, cordials, muesli bars, dried fruit, snacks, biscuits, custards and yoghurts, as well as being used extensively in soft drink, ice cream and confectionary products, primarily for visual appeal.
"There is no justification for keeping these additives in our foods, aside perhaps from economic benefit, which must not take precedence over children's wellbeing...we urge FSANZ to err on the side of caution and protect Australian and New Zealand children from any potential harm".
Kids First says the campaign will not just raise consumer awareness about the effects of food additives, but could resultin legislative change allowing for their removal from Australian foods within the next two years.
Australian Certified Organic Magazine
November 2008 - January 2009
For more information visit - www.additivealert.com.au