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    Watchdog criticised over food additives

    Posted on 24/09/2007

    The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has been strongly criticised for failing to recommend a ban on several artificial food additives.

    A major study by the University of Southampton published earlier this month provided evidence of a link between several commonly used E-numbers and hyperactivity in children. In response, the FSA opted to revise its advice to parents and called on industry to do more to phase out the additives.

    The FSA's Chief Scientist Dr Andrew Wadge said: 'If a child shows signs of hyperactivity or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) then eliminating the colours used in the Southampton study from their diet might have some beneficial effects.'

    However, in a letter to the Guardian on Friday, two of the country's most distinguished food scientists warned of a 'terrible dereliction of duty'.

    Dr Tim Lang and Dr Erik Millstone wrote: 'Some food manufacturers and retailers are rushing to take additives out of own-label products. But the FSA has failed to consider their use in school meals, takeaways, restaurant food and medicines. Public-health measures ought to be the framework for all, not just for competition between the enlightened few.'

    Richard Watts, of Sustain's Children's Food Campaign, also called for the additives to be banned: 'Parents will be furious that the FSA has chickened out of taking this vital step to protect their children.'

    The FSA has said it will clarify its advice to consumers, and has called on the European Commission to 'take swift action'.

    Quoted in the Scotsman, FSA chairwoman Dame Deirdre Hutton admitted: 'There is a real difficulty for people in looking at every product to see whether it has particular E-numbers or not.'

    Additives tested in the recent study were the colours tartrazine (E102), ponceau 4 R (E124), sunset yellow (E110), carmoisine (E122), quinoline yellow (E104) and allura Red AC (E129), plus the preservative sodium benzoate (E211).



    Category: Healthy Lifestyle


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