1 of 2

Write now Article Tools

Page 2 of 3

The only answer I can come up with is that the dollar must be driving the decisions at the FDA much more than concerns of consumer safety. Most issues of safety and testing seem to be highly self regulated at the FDA. Consumers MUST get educated and take some personal responsibility and start holding the FDA accountable for their actions, AND a lack thereof. After all, if you don't care, why should anyone else?

These dyes and the problems that surround them are nothing new; they have been around for years. In 1970, two different Russian studies on Red Dye # 2 showed that even the smallest amounts of Red Dye # 2 caused birth defects, stillbirths, fetal deaths, and sterility in rats. These reports were handed over to the FDA who dismissed them.

From the Dictionary of Food Additives: FD and C Red # 40:
FD means food & drug; C means for cosmetics.
This dye approved in 1971; is a member of the family of Azo Dyes; it is widely used in the cosmetics industry. Allied Chemical holds an exclusive patent on it. It is substituted for FD & C Red #4 in many cosmetics, food and drug products. Many American scientists feel that the safety of Red #40 is far from established because the manufacturer conducted all of the tests. The dye should not have received a permanent safety rating. The National Cancer Institute reported that p-credine, a chemical used in preparation of Red #40, is a carcinogenic in animals. The FDA permanently listed Red #40 for use in foods and ingested drugs but only temporarily listed it for cosmetics and external drugs.

Red 40 is the most commonly used red dye in red colored American food products. I have also occasionally found it in some foods that were not red. This dye is made from coal tar. It has the worst reputation of all the dyes for causing the most problems. If I consume even the smallest amount of this coloring I get intense migraines with nausea and vomiting within minutes of consumption. Once I have vomited several times and the red 40 is all out of my system I begin to feel better almost instantly. My body rejects this substance intensely. Even something as small as a tic-tac will make me sick. When I discovered this allergy to red 40 I had been suffering from daily migraines. Since removing red 40 from my diet I only get a few a month.

If you are having mysterious headaches or other health ailments and your doctor cant seem to figure out what's wrong with you or has actually told you it is all in your head then I suggest you start reading

• << previous page
• 1
• 2
• 3
• next page >>

Add your voice

Know something about Why women should avoid red dye in food?
We want to hear your view. Write now!