California is considering a bill that would ban synthetic food dyes in public schools due to concerns about their potential impact on children's behavior.
Alice Callahan reports for The New York Times.
In short:
- The bill would prohibit six synthetic dyes, including Red No. 40 and Yellow No. 5, from being served in K-12 public schools.
- Research suggests a potential link between these dyes and increased hyperactivity in children, though the evidence is mixed and debated.
- The FDA maintains that these dyes are safe, but some experts argue for precaution due to the possible risks.
Key quote:
“There’s a reasonable suspicion that food dyes may be harmful, at least for some kids, so why expose them to it?”
— Joel Nigg, professor of psychiatry at Oregon Health and Science University
Why this matters:
Artificial food dyes are prevalent in children’s foods, yet their safety remains contested. Banning them in schools could reduce potential risks for behavioral issues in sensitive children.
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