[Greens-Media] Food ministers fail to protect kids from artificial food dyes

[John Kaye]

Food ministers fail to protect kids from artificial food dyes
 
Media Release: 24 October 2008
 
Governments and regulators have yet again ignored the mounting evidence that six bright artificial food colourings can contribute to hyperactivity disorders in children, according to Greens NSW MP John Kaye.
 
Dr Kaye said: "The Australia and New Zealand Food Regulation Ministerial Council met in Adelaide today and rejected action to protect young people from food dyes that are being phased out in Europe.
 
"The meeting had the power to require warning labels on products containing these dyes or even ban them entirely.
 
"Instead all the state and territory food ministers did was note the report from the Food Standards Authority (FSANZ) and '[request] to be kept informed'.
 
"Inaction is inexcusable when two separate university studies have shown that these bright artificial colourings contribute to hyperactivity disorders in children.
 
"Australian food regulators have to stop pandering to big food companies. It is past time to protect children from the impacts of harmful artificial food colourings. Food ministers like NSW's Ian Macdonald should show some leadership.
 
"The evidence is strong enough to convince the European Parliament, the UK Food Standards Agency, and the UK branches of Nestle and Cadbury-Schweppes to take action, but Australian food ministers are still sitting on their hands.
 
"The very least the food regulator could do is insist on mandatory warnings, so that parents and their children can make informed choices about these artificial colourings.
 
"It is unacceptable that Australian children are given a lower standard of care than their European counterparts. If it is good enough for British children, then it is good enough for ours," Dr Kaye said.
 
The additives are: tartrazine (lemon yellow) (102), quinoline yellow (104), sunset yellow FCF (110), carmoisine (red) (122), ponceau 4R (red) (124), and allura red AC (129). 
 

For more information: John Kaye 0407 195 455 
 
 
----------------------------------
John Kaye
Greens member of the NSW Parliament
phone: (02) 9230 2668
fax: (02) 9230 2586
mobile: 0407 195 455
email: john.kaye at parliament.nsw.gov.au
web: www.johnkaye.org.au
 
mail: Parliament House, Macquarie St, Sydney NSW 2000