The bad Yellow
Yellow 5 or Tartrazine is is a lemon yellow dye used mostly as a food colorant. Also known as E102.
There are many food products in the market using Tartrazine as a yellow colorant, also can be mixed with other substance to produce other color shades as green or brown.
Products containing Tartrazine are candy, ice cream, snacks, beverages, chips, jam, mustard and cereals, between many others.
Not only is used in food products but also in skin products as cosmetics, hair products, lotions, tooth paste, also present in medication, household cleaning products, crayons etc..
Yellow 5 has been related to different health issues as:
1. Allergies.
Allergic reaction have been reported in people consuming Tartrazine. The reaction can present as asthma, urticaria, or rhinitis. This occurs mostly in aspirin sensitive patients.
2. Hyperactivity:
"In one study of 76 children diagnosed as hyperactive, the food color Tartrazine combined with the food preservative benzoate caused abnormal reactions in 79 % of the group" (1). Tartrazine also has shown to increase excretion of zinc and therefore deterioration in behavior.
3. Zinc deficiency:
Zinc, an essential trace mineral, is required for the metabolism of protein, carbohydrate, fat and alcohol. Zinc is also needed for a correct wound healing, sense of taste and smell, immune system function, bone strength, thyroid function, blood clotting, cognitive functions, prenatal development, and sperm production. Even a mild deficiency can produce a wide range of physical and mental problems.
Even though many companies have decided to remove this coloring from their product, Yellow 5 dye still listed as a permitted food coloring in Canada. https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/food-nutrition/food-safety/food-additives/lists-permitted/3-colouring-agents.html.
It can be named on the list of ingredients under its name or under "color". Tartrazine is one of many food colorants and/or additives that are under study. It is good practice to review the ingredients on the packages before purchasing. After all our kids are the most affected by this.
(1) Children's attention & Behavior Disorders. Dr. Abraham Hoffer MD.
