Artificial colours to avoid

Well, another year has descended upon us and we continue our vigilance against artificial colours in our food and drink.

So what are the artificial colours to avoid? I will list these in two  groups.

The first is often known as the "Southampton Six" as they were the subject of some significant studies conducted in Southampton in the UK several years ago. The studies were funded by the Food Standards Agency and indicated these colours can have a major impact on some children's behaviour, including increased hyperactivity. The studies also found the same outcomes with preservative E211, sodium benzoate. These six colours, and E211, are therefore the most serious colours we deal with. They are generally reds and yellows and are as follows:

• E102 - Tartrazine
• E104 - Quinoline yellow
• E110 - Sunset yellow
• E122 - Azorubine / Carmoisine
• E124 - Ponceau 4R
• E129 - Allura red

The second group comprises of several more artificial colours which, in my experience, also have a major impact on children's behaviour. These are as follows:

• E123 - Amaranth (deep brown red)
• E127 - Erythrosine (cherry pink)
• E132 - Indigotine (blue denim)
• E133 - Brilliant blue
• E142 - Green S
• E143 - Fast green
• E151 - Brilliant black
• E155 - Brown HT

Good luck with avoiding these artificial colours in our food and drink. They are widely used and it is often quite a challenge to stay on top of them all.

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