[Greens-Media] School canteens invaded by dangerous food colourings

[John Kaye]

School canteens invaded by dangerous food colourings

Media Release: 15 November 2008

Slushies containing bright artificial food dyes that are known to contribute to hyperactivity disorders in children are being marketed as a healthy choice to NSW school canteens, according to Greens NSW MP John Kaye.

Commenting on a story on page 5 of toady's Sydney Morning Herald ("Diet experts go cold on icy treat"), Dr Kaye said: "The last place you would want to see these food dyes is in schools.

"These slushies are sold to the students with no labelling and no warnings. 

"The canteens are not at fault. There is no way they can be expected to hunt round for the ingredients list and remember which of the numbers corresponds to a dangerous dye.

"The problem lies with the nation's food ministers who have failed to enforce warnings on all products containing these dyes.

"NSW Food Minister Ian Macdonald defends his inaction by claiming that the presence of these colourings is identified on the back-of-package contents list. 

"Yet kids buying these slushies could not possibly know that their treat was about to make them act up.

"The Ministerial Food Regulatory Council met last month and yet again allowed food bureaucrats to snow it on this issue. It is the one body that could at least demand warning labels but it continues to sit on its hands.

"The Whitty's brand is aggressively pushing their slushies into schools, claiming they are a 'healthy treat' and that they contain 'no artificial flavours, no added sugar, no fat, low GI, 99% fruit juice'.

"The manufacturer omits to say that each of their product contains one of the six bright, artificial food colourings that have been proven to contribute to hyperactivity disorder in children.

"The evidence is clear. Peer-reviewed scientific studies have demonstrated the connection between these artificialdyes and behaviour problems. 

"Providing them to school children is a recipe for damaging educational outcomes and compromising young people's health," Dr Kaye said. 

For more information:	John Kaye 0407 195 455