Latest news with #foodadditives
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
What Parents Should Know About the FDA's Latest Food Additive Approval
Fact checked by Sarah ScottThe FDA is attempting to phase out petroleum-based dyes from the nation's food supply. It approved one more natural food additive, gardenia (genipin) blue, in addition to three previous one: Galdieria extract blue, calcium phosphate, and butterfly pea flower extract. These approved food additives are generally considered safe, and some are already being U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) just approved a new food additive: gardenia (genipin) blue. It can be used in sports drinks, flavored or enhanced non-carbonated water, fruit drinks and ades, ready-to-drink teas, as well as hard and soft candy. The move comes about two months after the FDA approved Galdieria extract blue, calcium phosphate, and butterfly pea flower extract, in an attempt to phase out petroleum-based dyes from the nation's food supply. 'The FDA's approval likely reflects a response to consumer demand for more natural food coloring options,' says Daniel S. Ganjian, MD, a board-certified pediatrician at Providence Saint John's Health Center in California. 'These additives are derived from natural sources—algae and a flower—which differentiates them from many synthetic food dyes that are chemically manufactured.' But what do we know about the roots and safety of the new FDA-approved food additives? Experts share their thoughts on the FDA's decisions and offer guidance on how parents can select safe, nourishing foods for their children. The word 'additives' gets thrown around a lot when discussing food (and body care products, for that matter). It might be helpful to have a primer or reminder on what experts refer to as additives. 'Food additives are substances added to food to perform specific functions, such as enhancing flavor, color, texture, or preserving freshness,' Dr. Ganjian says. 'They help maintain consistency, improve appearance, and extend shelf life.' However, recent data has pointed to a potential link between synthetic food dyes and behavioral issues and developmental delays in children. "While not all experts agree on the level of harm, one thing is clear: These petroleum-based dyes don't offer any health benefit," says Don Thushara Galbadage, PhD, MPH, an associate professor at Texas Christian University and an expert on food additives and dyes. And that's a key objective of the FDA's approval of these new additives. 'This approval will hopefully make it easier for food companies to use them in their products," says Sotiria Everett, EdD, RD, CDN, CSSD, a clinical assistant professor at Stony Brook Medicine. The FDA-approved gardenia (genipin) blue, Galdieria extract blue, calcium phosphate, and butterfly pea flower extract are not petroleum-based. Some already serve purposes in commonly used items. Here's the breakdown. This is a natural blue food color additive derived from the gardenia fruit. This is already widely used in Asia for food products, such as frozen desserts, jams, baked good, and beverages. Research has found it is not carcinogenic, even in high doses. Galdieria extract blue comes from Galdieria sulphuraria, a species of red algae, explains Dr. Everett. The FDA approved its use in numerous foods, including fruit smoothies, juices, milkshakes, candy, yogurt drinks, and other processed foods. Dr. Everett shares that studies in rats didn't show adverse effects in daily doses of 4,000 milligrams per kilogram of bodyweight and says the estimated exposure to Galdieria extract blue will be far less (325 to 525 milligrams per kilogram daily). The FDA and outside experts currently recognize Galdieria extract blue as generally safe. Butterfly pea flower extract is an additive used to color foods various shades of blue, purple, and green, explains Anthony Hudson, MD, FAAP, ABOM, a pediatrician with Manning Family Children's in New Orleans. 'It is produced through the water extraction of the dried flower petals of the butterfly pea plant,' Dr. Hudson says. Dr. Everett notes that you and your children may have already had foods and drinks with this food additive. It is already in certain foods and beverages, like: Sports drinks Fruit drinks Dairy drinks Candy Yogurt Ice cream 'The FDA approval will expand its use to ready-to-eat cereals, crackers, snack mixes, hard pretzels, plain potato chips, corn chips, tortilla chips, and multigrain chips,' Dr. Everett says. She notes that the Taiwanese government issued a warning in 2019 about using butterfly pea extract in large quantities, with side effects potentially including nausea and diarrhea. However, the Taiwanese government said it could be used in the minimum amount to achieve the desired color. Dr. Galbadage also says butterfly pea flower extract is generally considered safe as a food additive in small quantities. Calcium phosphate is a white, naturally occurring mineral compound that Dr. Ganjian says is also used as a food additive. 'It serves multiple purposes, including as an anticaking agent, a source of calcium, and to modify texture,' Dr. Ganjian says. You also may use it to clean food off your teeth—calcium phosphate is commonly used in toothpastes, explains Lacy Puttuck, MS, RDN, a registered dietitian with Top Nutrition Coaching. 'It's not new, as this additive has been in baby formulas and cereals for years and is usually recognized as safe,' Dr. Galbadage adds. 'Now, it's approved for things like doughnut sugar, white candy melts, and some ready-to-eat meats.' While some changes take significant time, experts believe parents will begin to see these items on more food labels soon. But the full effects are likely at least a year away. 'The FDA has set a timeline for phasing out synthetic dyes, and companies are already responding,' Dr. Galbadage says. 'Some major brands have committed to removing artificial dyes by the end of next year. That means by 2026, your child's cereal, snacks, and even yogurts may still be colorful, but with more natural ingredients behind their color.' How can parents navigate the grocery store in the meantime, and even after the new additives become more prevalent? Trust your eyes when deciding what to put in your mouth and gut. 'Read the ingredients list of food products,' suggests Puttuck. 'Make sure you can read and understand all of the ingredients in a food. This will allow you to make more informed choices for your family.' 'Natural' doesn't always mean 'healthiest' or 'without any risk." Candy and chips with butterfly pea flower still may have more than the daily recommended values of sugar and salt, for instance. Dr. Hudson suggests consuming a diet of single-ingredient foods, like an apple, broccoli, and unprocessed proteins, including legumes, and omega-3-packed fish, such as salmon, without tons of salt. 'Children will follow their caregivers' example,' Dr. Hudson says. 'If the caregivers prepare single-ingredient foods at home and include the children in the growing or purchasing of food and the preparation of the food, they too will eat healthy options.' Repeat after us: You cannot control what your child eats at a birthday party or eats out of a goody bag on the carpool ride home. 'It is hard to completely eliminate these foods, especially in many social occasions, such as birthday parties, movie outings, and other events that families enjoy,' Dr. Everett says. She suggests focusing on practical steps and balance. Swapping foods with 'unnaturally bright colors' like chips for crunchy veggies and hummus at meals and for snacks, is one way to bump items with synthetic dyes into the 'sometimes' territory. Also, whole fruits like watermelon have natural but not added sugars, as many juices do. 'Stay informed but maintain perspective,' Dr. Ganjian agrees. 'Keep up with information from reputable sources like the FDA, but remember that the agency has processes in place to ensure the safety of approved additives. Avoid unnecessary anxiety and focus on a balanced and varied diet.' Read the original article on Parents
News.com.au
03-07-2025
- Health
- News.com.au
Leading pediatric nutritionist exposes food Health Star Rating system
A number of family favourite food items have been revealed to contain harmful additives and chemicals, covered up by the 'misleading' Health Star Rating (HSR) system. Pediatric nutritionist Mandy Sacher said foods advertised as healthy and marketed to children with a 4-star health rating or higher actually have ingredients linked to ADHD, gut damage, cancer and addictive eating. Under current HSR rules, products can receive high star ratings for adding isolated protein or synthetic fibre, regardless of overall ingredient quality or processing level, and there is no penalty for the presence of artificial additives, refined starches or emulsifiers. Ms Sacher said the public is 'flying blind' when it comes to deciding how to pick between so-called healthy foods. 'In my view, the Health Star Rating (HSR) is a ticking public health time bomb – it could one day be seen as the asbestos scandal of our food system,' she told 'It's misleading Australian families, especially parents, by giving ultra-processed foods a health halo. 'Products full of additives, synthetic fibres, emulsifiers, artificial sweeteners and industrial seed oils are scoring 4 or 5 stars, yet emerging evidence links these ingredients to ADHD, gut damage, insulin resistance, anxiety, depression and even cancer.' The pediatric nutritionist said these ingredients and additives are often found in many popular muesli bar products, including those which are rated three, four and five stars under the system. 'The system completely ignores the internationally recognised NOVA scale, which classifies foods based on their level of processing,' Ms Sacher said. 'These ultra-processed snacks are engineered to override satiety and promote over consumption, yet they're being marketed to kids with government endorsement. 'Parents trust the stars. But often, the higher the rating, the more processed the product. 'That's not just confusing – it's dangerous.' She said only 32 per cent of products carry the HSR rating. 'Even the government's own 2019 review flagged serious flaws: no independent watchdog, no penalties for additives, and no consistency,' she aid. 'Six years later, nothing has changed.' When asked whether the problem lies in how the rating is calculated, or how it's communicated, Ms Sacher simply replied: 'Both.' 'The HSR scores food based only on nutrients like sugar, salt and added fibre, but it ignores how processed the food is, and what it's made from,' she said. 'Stars appear on the front of packs as a government-endorsed health symbol. Parents assume a 4-star snack is a good choice – but those stars can be manipulated by adding synthetic fibre or lab-made vitamins, even if the product is ultra-processed. 'Food tech is advancing rapidly, but the HSR hasn't been updated in over a decade, since 2014 and it doesn't account for processing, it doesn't penalise additives. 'It allows snacks made in labs to appear 'healthy' based on technical nutrient scores.' Ms Sacher believes the system rewards 'nutrient manipulation, not food integrity', with a rising number of illnesses, such as hypertension, anxiety and depression, fatty liver, and type two diabetes appearing in young children. 'These foods may disrupt gut health, hijack appetite, impair mood, and promote inflammation,' she said. 'In my opinion, if we keep rewarding fake food and penalising real food, we're not just misleading consumers – we're fuelling a preventable health crisis. '(The HSR System) needs a full reset. If 100 per cent walnuts can't get 5 stars, but kids' lollies can, we need to admit the system is broken.' The HSR system assigns packaged foods and beverages a rating based on the overall nutritional value of the product, a Department of Health, Disability and Ageing spokesperson told 'The system is designed to provide shoppers a quick, easy, and standardised way to compare similar packaged foods. The more stars, the healthier the choice,' the spokesperson said. 'For example, you can compare the HSR of a yoghurt to another yoghurt, but you should not compare the HSR of a yoghurt to a bag of chips. 'The number of stars a packaged food or beverage product displays is determined by using a strict algorithm called the HSR Calculator … developed in consultation with Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) and other technical and nutrition experts.' The spokesperson said the Calculator balances positive nutrients with nutrients associated with risk factors for chronic disease, with the HSR for most products based on: total energy (kilojoules), saturated fat, sodium (salt) and total sugar content. 'Consuming too much of these is linked to overweight and obesity, some cancers, heart disease and type 2 diabetes. 'A high HSR does not mean that the food or beverage provides all of the essential nutrients that are required for a balanced and healthy diet or that the product should be eaten in large quantities, or often,' the spokesperson said. 'The HSR system does not take into consideration other real, claimed or potential health effects of particular ingredients, additives, products or processing methods,' they said. 'Neither does it consider other important nutrients. 'In Australia, food additives are approved only if it can be shown no harmful effects are likely to result from their use.' A spokesperson for Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) said any additives must undergo a safety assessment before being permitted for use in food sold. 'Standard 1.3.1 of the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code governs the use of food additives, such as preservatives, colours and emulsifiers,' they told 'These additives must comply with the safety limits specified in Schedule 15 and be clearly labelled on food products to enable consumers to make informed purchases. 'Schedule 15 also details which additives are permitted, the types of food they can be used in, and the maximum amounts allowed to ensure safe and appropriate use across different food categories.' While the body is responsible for the development and maintenance the Code, which sets out the requirements for food produced or imported for sale to ensure a safe food supply for consumers, it does not enforce them.
Yahoo
17-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Kraft Heinz to remove artificial colors from Jell-O and Kool Aid, among other brands, by 2027
Kraft Heinz (KHC) is getting rid of synthetic dyes across the remaining 10% of its US portfolio that contains them. That means changes are coming for beverage and dessert items like Crystal Light, Kool-Aid, Jell-O, and the marshmallow brand Jet Puffed. Kraft Heinz will remove the artificial colors and replace them with natural colors. If that is not possible, it plans to reinvent the items with new colors. Effective immediately on Tuesday, the company will not launch any new products that contain the food additives. "The vast majority of our products use natural or no colors, and we've been on a journey to reduce our use of Food, Drug & Cosmetic (FD&C) colors across the remainder of our portfolio," North America president Pedro Navio said in the release. The company removed artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives from Kraft Mac & Cheese in 2016. This announcement comes amid growing scrutiny of food additives. During the final days of former former President Joe Biden's term, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the ban of Red Dye No. 3 by 2027. In April, Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said he wants "real and transformative" change by "getting the worst ingredients out' of food, according to a letter viewed by Yahoo Finance that summarized the HHS secretary's remarks to the Consumer Brands Association. By the time he leaves office, RFK Jr. wants to remove artificial coloring from the entire food supply. Per the list of ingredients, Kool-Aid Unsweetened Grape Powdered Drink Mix available on Walmart's website contains Red 40 and Blue 1. Another offering, Kool-Aid Unsweetened Cherry Powdered Soft Drink Mix, contains Blue 1. Strawberry Jell-O has "artificial flavor" listed under the title and includes Red 40 in the ingredients. This comes as Kraft Heinz, General Mills (GIS), and WK Kellogg (KLG) are facing multiple headwinds, including healthier eating trends, GLP-1s, and the impact of macro uncertainty in general, causing consumers to be extra intentional about discretionary snack purchases. Kraft Heinz's overall portfolio — ranging from Jell-O to Lunchables — saw its volume mix drop 5.6 percentage points in the quarter. Kellanova (K), which is behind brands like Cheez-Its and Pringles, saw its volume decline in North America. The company is in the process of being acquired by Mars. Brooke DiPalma is a senior reporter for Yahoo Finance. Follow her on X at @BrookeDiPalma or email her at bdipalma@ Click here for all of the latest retail stock news and events to better inform your investing strategy Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data
Wall Street Journal
17-06-2025
- Business
- Wall Street Journal
Kraft Heinz Is Ditching Artificial Dyes
Kraft Heinz KHC -1.11%decrease; red down pointing triangle is breaking up with artificial dyes, a category of food additives in the Trump administration's crosshairs. The food giant said it plans to remove the dyes from its U.S. products before the end of 2027. Kraft Heinz also said it would no longer use artificial colors in new products in the U.S.
Daily Mail
08-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
10 foods you didn't realize contained disease-causing food additives
The so-called 'Skittles ban,' signed by Gavin Newsom in 2023 banned four food additives that have been linked to kidney, thyroid and gastrointestinal cancer and mood disorders. California's law is a big step forward in protecting Americans from dangerous chemicals in foods and health officials and experts are calling on other states, and the federal government, to follow its lead. The four banned additives in the Golden State are: brominated vegetable oil, potassium bromate, propylparaben and red dye No.3. Diet and citrus sodas: Brominated vegetable oil. When you reach for a refreshing bubbly drink beware you also could be reaching for brominated vegetable (BVO), one of the additives banned in California. The ingredient often shows up in diet and citrus sodas to stop ingredients in fruit-flavored soft drinks from separating. BVO hasn't been declared a carcinogen and it is still allowed to be used in foods, though the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has said the ingredient should be consumed only on an interim basis. Exposure to BVO can irritate the nose, throat, lungs and the mucous membranes inside the mouth, throat, stomach and lungs. Repeated and long term exposure to the chemical can also cause neurological issues like memory loss, impaired balance and coordination and headaches and in rodent studies, the animals had high tissue levels of bromine, which posed a danger to thyroid health. Chocolate candies and flavored chips: Artificial colors. Some popular brands of bite-sized chocolate candies and sweetly flavored chips get their signature hues and flavor from artificial coloring, including Red 3, included in California's new bill, Blue 1, Blue 2, Yellow 5, Yellow 6 and Red 40. While the additives may make these foods eye-catching and tasty, they can also make them harmful to your health. Some research has shown these dyes are associated with allergies and asthma and a recent study in mice linked Red 40 to inflammatory bowel disease. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has reported that Red 3 causes cancer in animals and there is evidence several other dyes are carcinogenic. Red 40, Yellow 5 and Yellow 6 have been found to be contaminated with benzidine and other carcinogens. Additionally, at least four dyes - Blue 1, Red 40, Yellow 5 and Yellow 6 - cause hypersensitivity reactions, with studies showing consumption of artificial food coloring produces statistically significant increases in ADHD symptoms in children. Red 3 specifically has been found to cause cancer and thyroid tumors in lab animals and has been linked to hyperactivity and other neurobehavioral effects in children. But the ingredient, which has been banned in the European Union, China and India because of its dangerous impact on health, has been shown to cause nose, throat and lung irritation. It has also been shown in lab tests to cause renal and thyroid tumors to form in rats. Cheeses, pickles, syrups, jams and wines: Propylparaben. The fourth and last additive included in California's new ban is propylparaben. That charcuterie board at your next housewarming party may look appetizing and be jam packed with the classics, but a wine and cheese night should be enjoyed with caution. Propylparaben occurs as a natural substance in plants and some insects. It is typically used in a variety of water-based cosmetics and personal-care products, as well as a food additive. The substance, however, has been shown to cause endocrine disruption and reproductive issues. However, the FDA has said the substance is generally regarded as safe. Lunch and processed meats: Heterocyclic amines and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Classified as carcinogens, lunch meats and processed meats like hot dogs, sausage and bacon contain two ingredients called heterocyclic amines and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Heterocyclic amines are mutagenic chemicals that form when cooking muscle meats, such as beef, pork, chicken and fish. They are some of the most potent mutagens and have shown to induce tumors in animal models. PAHs are chemicals that occur naturally in coal, crude oil and gasoline. They come from burning coal, oil, gas, wood, garbage and tobacco and the high heat needed to cook meat will form PAHs. PAHs, however, may cause cancer and harm the eyes, kidneys and liver. Potato chips and French fries: Acrylamide. While your guilty pleasure may be diving into a bag of potato chips on the couch or you find yourself hitting the drive-thru to satisfy a craving for french fries, these two foods should be eaten with caution because they contain acrylamide. Acrylamide is a substance that can form through a natural chemical reaction in some foods during high-temperature cooking, such as frying, roasting and baking. However, in the body, acrylamide is converted into a compound called glycidamide, which causes mutations in and damage to the DNA. Additionally, studies in rodent models have found exposure to the substance increases the risk for several types of cancer. Gummy and sour candies: Titanium dioxide. With Halloween right around the corner, store shelves are stocked with candy favorites. And while trick-or-treaters may want to fill their bags with classic sour and gummy treats, they should heed caution before unwrapping their night's reapings. These popular candies contain titanium dioxide, a substance that has been shown to cause irritation of the eyes, nose and throat. Exposure to it in animal studies also showed it to cause lung cancer. This compound is banned in Europe over concerns its particles have genotoxic effects — or the ability to directly damage a person's DNA. However, the FDA still allows it in Americans' foods. Ice cream and cream cheese: rBGH and rBST. If you prefer cream cheese over butter on your bagel or indulge in a scoop or two of ice cream after dinner, you could unknowingly be consuming potentially harmful hormones. Recombinate bovine growth hormone (rBGH) or recombinate bovine somatotropin (rBST) is a synthetic version of a hormone cows produce to regulate certain metabolic processes. It has been marketed to dairy farmers to increase milk production in cows and has been approved by the FDA since 1993, but is banned in Europe and Canada. Research into the hormone's link to breast cancer has produced mixed results but the use of rBST has been shown to increase levels of insulin-like growth factor, a protein found naturally in milk. Some studies have shown insulin-like growth factor to be linked to prostate, breast and colorectal cancers. Bread and flour: Azodicarbonamide. Not only do bagels, bread, pastries and tortillas contain the harmful potassium bromate, these products, along with hamburger and hot dog buns, also have azodicarbonamide, or ADA, in them. This ingredient is a chemical compound approved by the FDA to use as a whitening agent and is used to strengthen and enhance the elasticity of dough in cereal flour and bread dough. It is sometimes called the 'yoga mat' chemical because it is widely used in foamed plastics. The additive is banned in Europe and Australia. While not classified as a carcinogen, some case reports and epidemiological studies in humans have produced evidence the compound can induce asthma and respiratory symptoms, as well as skin irritation. Sugary cereals: BHA and BHT. Sugary cereals may be appealing to kids - and kids at heart - but they contain the ingredients butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT). BHA is a synthetic petrochemical used widely as a preservative in cereals and other dry goods. BHT is used in similar products and helps fats in foods stay fresher longer. BHA is considered a carcinogen and has been shown to promote tumor growth and impair blood clotting. It also acts as an endocrine disruptor and is associated with the underdevelopment of the reproductive system. BHA and BHT both pose a threat to the circulatory system and BHT can impact testosterone levels.
