Synthetic food dyes are chemicals based on petroleum, and are often used to make a certain food seem more appealing. Petroleum-based chemicals are chemical products from petroleum refining. They are the building blocks of many products, including:
• Plastics
In plastics, the primary petroleum-based chemicals used are ethylene and propylene.
• Toothpaste
Most synthetic food dyes in toothpaste are petroleum-based.
• Skincare Products
According to the FDA, final skincare products should be tested rigorously to ensure that they contain none of the original petroleum, even in trace amounts.
Health Risks Of Synthetic Dyes
Data form the Food and Drug Administration shows that Americans are eating about five times as much food dye as they did in 1955. This shouldn’t sound surprising when taken into mind. Wherever we look, we can see more and more synthetic dyes in a variety of foods that we eat. Natural food colorants are available to companies, but most manufactures ignore them, and turn to the synthetic dyes instead. This is because of cost, degradability, and a lack of vibrant colors in natural dyes.
Using synthetic dyes can lead to negative health-related consequences, especially in children. The three most common dyes, Yellow 6, Yellow 5, and Red 40, all contain compounds that are linked to cancer. Extensive research has also connected food dyes with allergies, learning impairment, irritability, and aggressiveness. A British study from 2007 discovered that children who ate a combination of synthetic dyes displayed hyperactive behavior within a short period of consumption.
How Can I Avoid Them?
Keep in mind that synthetic dyes must be listed by their names. Using this information, it is possible to look at an ingredients list and search for potentially dangerous dyes. Generally, the green and white label, “USDA organic” is an indication that the food is free of synthetic dyes, but some products may contain them. Ultimately, it is possible to avoid synthetic dyes, but it requires some work to do so.
In conclusion, synthetic dyes are commonly used in many products, but can be potentially dangerous if consumed.