Tasting the Rainbow May Be Bad For You

I have chosen to discuss the harmful effects that food coloring and dyes pose for consumers because I think it's safe to assume that most people have eaten something with red 40, yellow 5, yellow 6 and/or blue 2 at some point within the last year.  These food colors and dyes can be found in common foods that many consume everyday such as Kraft foods, children's cereals, sports drinks,  or candies. The problem with these colorful effects is that many children have developed allergies from the dyes and some contain carcinogens. Carcinogens damage DNA, which can eventually lead to cancer. With more and more individuals eating processed foods that contain food coloring everyday, the risk of Americans who can get cancer keeps increasing. Studies conducted by the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) have linked ADHD to these same food colorings and dyes.

What is interesting is that although these dyes have been banned in countries like Norway and Austria, the FDA has not yet made any such laws that prohibited companies from using dyes. In order for Kraft to sell their products in these countries they must add natural food coloring by using ingredients like paprika extract, beetroot,  and annatto. Kraft and other companies should begin incorporating more natural food colors into their products. Although this may cost more to make, the cost can be made up in the price of the product because anything "natural" or "organic" is typically more expensive anyways. As a consumer, I would be willing to pay more for my favorite thing in the world, Mac n' Cheese, if I knew I was protecting myself from the harmful effects in the long run. I would hate to suffer from Cancer all because Kraft wanted their cheddar sauce to appear orange. 

ADHD source: http://www.foodsafetynews.com/2010/07/popular-food-dyes-linked-to-cancer-adhd-and-allergies/#.UkyojdKsiSo

Information on Carcinogens: http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/cancer-info/cancerandresearch/all-about-cancer/what-is-cancer/what--cancer/what-causes-cancer2#Carcinogens