MEPs urge ban on "hyperactivity" food additives

14th May 2008

WALES Euro-MPs Glenys Kinnock and Eluned Morgan have joined European calls to ban food colourings linked to hyperactivity in children.

Following a recent report in the medical journal The Lancet, linking particular food additives - so-called ‘azo-dyes' - to hyperactive behaviour in children, Glenys Kinnock and Eluned Morgan are urging the European Food Standards Agency to ban these additives outright.

The European Parliament's Food Safety Committee has already voted on a new law which would require the so-called "azo-dyes" to be clearly labelled and enable the European Commission and national governments together to ban specific additives quickly if evidence comes to light that they are harmful.

GLENYS KINNOCK said:

"For some time many parents have found that if their child eats a lot of a certain product, they are likely to become badly behaved and hyperactive. But until last year's study, we didn't really have the scientific evidence to back up these anecdotal claims.

"Now we know these additives are linked to negative effects on our children, we must take action. That's why I'm joining my European Parliament colleagues in calling for a complete ban."

ELUNED MORGAN added:

"MEPs in the Parliament's Food Safety Committee are demanding that companies make information on the negative effects of additives available to the authorities and parents. Only in this way can swift action be taken to withdraw harmful additives from the market and protect our children."

The European Parliament proposals still need to be endorsed by national governments in the Council of Ministers and could become law by the end of the year.

Notes
• A British study from Southampton University showed that children who consume food containing azodyes (an additive which gives sweets and soft drinks a bright colour) can become hyperactive.