Food Additives cause Hyperactivity

EU Panel: 'Limited Evidence' Food Additives Cause Hyperactivity in Kids

Physician's First Watch for March 17, 2008

An analysis by the European Food Safety Authority downplays the significance of a Lancet study suggesting some synthetic food colors and sodium benzoate preservative cause hyperactivity in children.

The study, published in 2007, concluded that two mixtures of four synthetic colors and sodium benzoate increased hyperactivity in 3-year-olds and 8- to 9-year-olds. The agency said it used "a more justifiable and conventional statistical model" to analyze those results.

The new analysis showed a small and statistically significant effect of the additives on some children's attention and activity. However, the effects were not seen in all ages and were inconsistent for the two mixtures. The panel said there were not enough data on dose-response, nor was there a biologically plausible mechanism for additives to cause hyperactivity.

The agency said the clinical significance "remains unclear," and the findings cannot be used for changing acceptable daily intakes of the additives.

European Food Safety Authority summary (Free PDF)