Parents are being advised by not to give their children food containing certain additives pending the publication of a new study on the effects of a range of artificial colourings on children's behaviour. The report is expected to confirm previous research linking additives to hyperactivity and poor concentration.
Though the Food Standards Agency (FSA) says it will not issue formal recommendations until the findings are published independent experts said parents should avoid foodstuffs containing the additives.
The team from University of Southampton tested the additives tartraxine (E102), ponceau 4R (E124), sunset yellow (E110), carmoisine (E122), quinoline yellow (E104) and allura red AC (E129) on both three-year olds and eight-to-nine year olds using amounts that were those an average child might consume in a day.
Information leaked from the University to the food industry magazine the Grocer indicated the results supported findings first made seven years ago that linked the additives to behavioural problems such as temper tantrums, poor concentration, hyperactivity and allergic reactions.
The FSA's Committee of Toxicity on Chemicals looked at the original research, known as the Isle of Wight study, which had concluded removal of such colourings from childrens' diet would produce "significant changes" in behaviour and not just in those children already showing hyperactive behaviour but could not conclusively link the two.
At a recent closed meeting the Committee noted the "public health importance" of the new findings but the results will not be acted until published in a scientific journal.
The FSA said it would be handling the findings in "the proper scientific way" and hoped they would be published in a matter of months.
All the additives tested in the study are approved for use in the EU and are safe but some of the colours are banned in Scandinavian countries and the US.
A spokesperson for the School Food Trust said they hoped the findings would be published quickly but the FSA had to follow scientific protocols before making recommendations. adding they were very keen to promote fresh healthy home cooked food and if you get that sort of food you don't have to worry about additives.
"There is a lot of anecdotal evidence from teachers and parents about children behaving badly when they're given sugary food stuffs so in the end I'm sure we will have the corroborating evidence."
Professor Vyvyan Howard, one of the experts on the FSA's Additives and Behaviour Working Group said it was important the findings were published but that consumers could choose not to buy products containing the additives.
In seperate news Sainsbury's will next month become the first supermarket to ban artificial colours and flavourings in its own-label soft drinks, with the other main supermarkets also reviewing their policies on additives due to pressure from parents.