• Without food coloring, chocolate pudding would be green.chocolate pudding with chocolate curls in a martini glass image by David Smith from Fotolia.com
  
  Without the addition of food dye, many of your favorite foods would probably be a color you were not expecting. An article in "Time" magazine claims that without a dye, chocolate pudding would be green, and grape soda would appear blue. There has been an ongoing debate for decades regarding the use of dyes to improve food, and singled out in many of these arguments is red food coloring. Studies and controversy have led the authoritative bodies in the United States to prohibit the use of various established red dyes. Some specific health conditions may be associated with the use of red food coloring in consumer products such as food, drugs and cosmetics.
  
  

Allergic Reactions

• Many individuals have an adverse reaction to food coloring, including the additives for the color red. Food coloring derived from insects appears to be the main culprit in allergic reactions. Some ice creams, yogurts, fruit drinks and Campari contain red dye extracted from cochineal beetles. Additional products with this dye include pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. There is much controversy over this product. Currently, products carry labels that state "artificial color" or "color added." Health-advocacy groups recommend clear labeling of products with food colorings that cause reactions. Some groups, like the Center for Science in the Public, want labels to read "Artificial color: carmine/cochineal extract (insect based)." However, the food manufacturers object to the use of the word "insect." Dr. James Baldwin from the University of Michigan School of Medicine feels "a coloring that can cause anaphylactic shock in sensitive individuals should be required to be listed specifically on labels."
  
  

Cancer

• Red Dye Number 2 is an additive used for decades to liven the color of hot dogs, pet food, ice cream, gravy, makeup and a myriad of red pills. This is a tar-based product known to cause constriction of the bronchial tubes, angioedema (swelling) and hives known as urticaria. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has officially rescinded the provisional approval of Red Dye Number 2 after tests showed a significant increase in cancer among aged female rats. The FDA claims there is no evidence that this dye is a public health hazard. The amount of dye consumption required to meet the standards of this test in humans is considerable and unlikely. Manufacturers such as Armour, General Mills and Nabisco claim to have discontinued use of this dye years ago.
  
  

Hyperactivity in Children

• Many countries other than the United States have banned the use of Allura Red; some limit its use to products not consumed by children. The FDA approves the use of this dye in cosmetics, drugs and food. Studies in the U.K. conclude that while this product may not be dangerous on its own, when combined with other formulas or preservatives, there is an increase risk of hyperactivity in children. A panel from the European Food Safety Authority adopted a recommendation that Allura use be re-evaluated when used as a food additive. Long-term carcinogenicity studies conducted by this group showed no evidence that Allura Red causes cancer as many groups believe. However, this same panel concluded that exposure to a mixture of Allura with other additives will cause hyperactivity in children ranging from 8 to 9 years of age. Younger children do not appear affected by this red food dye.