Latest news with #syntheticDyes
The Independent
6 days ago
- Health
- The Independent
Researchers warn one in five foods in the US have synthetic dyes
One in five packaged food and drink products in the U.S. contain synthetic dyes that have been associated with behavioral problems in children, researchers warned on Wednesday. The dyes, which are used to make items more colorful and enticing to consumers, are typically made from petroleum. Previous research from the state of California and its schools has shown that they may cause or worsen hyperactivity in some children. Earlier this year, the Trump administration announced plans to phase out the use of these dyes in the nation's food supply, citing health concerns. Companies have pledge to act in compliance with health officials, and Gatorade-maker PepsiCo said in April that it has been phasing out artificial colors. Kraft Heinz has pledged to eliminate all chemical food dyes within two years. The company makes the American staples Kool-Aid and Jello-O, which also contain multiple kinds of dyes. Now, the University of North Carolina, the D.C.-based Center for Science in the Public Interest, and international researchers at the George Institute for Global Health say that an analysis of 39,763 grocery store products has yielded concerning results. 'Given the accumulation of evidence over the last 40 years pointing to the health harms of synthetic dyes, it's disappointing to see that they're still so prevalent in our food system, particularly in products that are designed to appeal to children,' Dr. Elizabeth Dunford, a research fellow at The George Institute and an adjunct assistant professor at the University of North Carolina, said in a statement. Dunford led the research, which was published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. 'The high levels of sugar in these brightly colored products suggests that companies are using synthetic dyes to market sweet foods and beverages, but both ingredients are linked to poor health outcomes,' she added. To reach these conclusions, Dunford and her co-authors assessed the ingredient labels for foods produced by the top 25 U.S. food manufacturers. They specifically focused on the five food categories most marketed to children, including sweet foods, sugar-sweetened beverages, ready-to-eat meals, breakfast cereals, and baked goods. The products in these categories were more likely to contain the dyes, which were found to be present in 28 percent. Furthermore, the average sugar content of products containing the dyes was 141 percent more than in those without the dyes. The National Confectioners Association said in a statement that the study had 'major gaps,' and that it 'ignores exposure to consumers.' 'Also, contrary to the authors' claims, the chocolate and candy companies mentioned in this study do not advertise to children under the age of 12 as part of a long-standing commitment, ' it said. Several companies were identified as the 'worst offenders.' More than half of PepsiCo's energy drinks contained synthetic dyes, as well as 79 percent of all sports drinks included. That includes Gatorade, which contains several synthetic dyes to provide its vibrant hues. When it came to sweet foods, Ferrero and Mars used the most synthetic dyes. Ferrero, which acquired Nestle's confectionary business in 2018, produces SweeTarts and other colorful candy that uses the dyes. 'Ferrero and its related affiliated companies, including Ferrara Candy Company, are and will continue to be in compliance with local, state and federal laws and regulations, including those related to food additives. Our products are safe to enjoy,' a Ferrero spokesperson told The Independent. Neither of the other companies immediately responded to requests for comment from The Independent. The findings indicate, the authors alleged, that companies had not been phasing out the dyes. "The Food and Drug Administration recently asked the food industry to voluntarily phase synthetic dyes out of the food supply, but many companies had previously made promises to stop using them and then failed to keep those promises. So, it remains to be seen if food companies will comply with this new request.,' Dr. Thomas Galligan, the principal scientist for food additives and supplements at the Center for Science in the Public interest, said. He advised that the administration require warning labels on these foods. 'But until the regulatory process catches up with the science, parents and health-conscious consumers should always check the ingredients label for synthetic dyes and for high levels of added sugar,' Dunford said. 'If a product contains either, you are better off not buying it, especially for your kids.'
The Independent
25-06-2025
- Health
- The Independent
New study reveals one in five foods and drinks in the US have synthetic dyes as ‘worst offenders' named
One in five packaged food and drink products in the U.S. contain synthetic dyes that have been associated with behavioral problems in children, researchers warned on Wednesday. The dyes, which are used to make items more colorful and enticing to consumers, are typically made from petroleum. Previous research from the state of California and its schools has shown that they may cause or worsen hyperactivity in some children. Earlier this year, the Trump administration announced plans to phase out the use of these dyes in the nation's food supply, citing health concerns. Companies have pledge to act in compliance with health officials, and Gatorade-maker PepsiCo said in April that it has been phasing out artificial colors. Kraft Heinz has pledged to eliminate all chemical food dyes within two years. The company makes the American staples Kool-Aid and Jello-O, which also contain multiple kinds of dyes. Now, the University of North Carolina, the D.C.-based Center for Science in the Public Interest, and international researchers at the George Institute for Global Health say that an analysis of 39,763 grocery store products has yielded concerning results. 'Given the accumulation of evidence over the last 40 years pointing to the health harms of synthetic dyes, it's disappointing to see that they're still so prevalent in our food system, particularly in products that are designed to appeal to children,' Dr. Elizabeth Dunford, a research fellow at The George Institute and an adjunct assistant professor at the University of North Carolina, said in a statement. Dunford led the research, which was published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. 'The high levels of sugar in these brightly colored products suggests that companies are using synthetic dyes to market sweet foods and beverages, but both ingredients are linked to poor health outcomes,' she added. To reach these conclusions, Dunford and her co-authors assessed the ingredient labels for foods produced by the top 25 U.S. food manufacturers. They specifically focused on the five food categories most marketed to children, including sweet foods, sugar-sweetened beverages, ready-to-eat meals, breakfast cereals, and baked goods. The products in these categories were more likely to contain the dyes, which were found to be present in 28 percent. Furthermore, the average sugar content of products containing the dyes was 141 percent more than in those without the dyes. The National Confectioners Association said in a statement that the study had 'major gaps,' and that it 'ignores exposure to consumers.' 'Also, contrary to the authors' claims, the chocolate and candy companies mentioned in this study do not advertise to children under the age of 12 as part of a long-standing commitment, ' it said. Several companies were identified as the 'worst offenders.' More than half of PepsiCo's energy drinks contained synthetic dyes, as well as 79 percent of all sports drinks included. That includes Gatorade, which contains several synthetic dyes to provide its vibrant hues. When it came to sweet foods, Ferrero and Mars used the most synthetic dyes. Ferrero, which acquired Nestle's confectionary business in 2018, produces SweeTarts and other colorful candy that uses the dyes. 'Ferrero and its related affiliated companies, including Ferrara Candy Company, are and will continue to be in compliance with local, state and federal laws and regulations, including those related to food additives. Our products are safe to enjoy,' a Ferrero spokesperson told The New York Post. None of the companies immediately responded to requests for comment from The Independent. The findings indicate, the authors alleged, that companies had not been phasing out the dyes. "The Food and Drug Administration recently asked the food industry to voluntarily phase synthetic dyes out of the food supply, but many companies had previously made promises to stop using them and then failed to keep those promises. So, it remains to be seen if food companies will comply with this new request.,' Dr. Thomas Galligan, the principal scientist for food additives and supplements at the Center for Science in the Public interest, said. He advised that the administration require warning labels on these foods. 'But until the regulatory process catches up with the science, parents and health-conscious consumers should always check the ingredients label for synthetic dyes and for high levels of added sugar,' Dunford said. 'If a product contains either, you are better off not buying it, especially for your kids.'
Health Line
27-05-2025
- Health
- Health Line
What Does Purple Shampoo do?
Purple shampoo is a color-correcting toner that reduces brassiness and harsh yellowing in blonde, white, gray, or silver hair. If you dye your hair blonde, purple shampoo may help your hair maintain its desired shade. In addition to many of the standard ingredients contained in traditional shampoos, purple shampoo contains violet pigment, such as violet No. 2, that gives it its color-protective qualities. Violet pigments may be derived from natural ingredients, such as crushed violets, or from synthetic dyes derived from petroleum. Purple shampoo should not be used the same way you use traditional shampoos. It's also not recommended for dark hair. Color Correction Color wheels are used to represent color theory, which provides information about light, and how our brains interpret color. On a color wheel, purple hues are located opposite yellow hues. Purple, which is a combination of blue and red wavelengths, are able to cancel out yellow, which is a combination of red and green wavelengths. When applied to hair, purple shampoo neutralizes yellow by leaving a violet tint on the hair. In blonde hair, purple shampoo reduces orange, yellow, or brassy undertones, so that your hair looks natural and soft. On white, gray, or silver hair, purple shampoo cancels out yellowness, so that your hair looks shimmery and natural. Neutralizing Brassiness In hair that is dyed, unwanted warm tones, like red, orange, or yellow sometimes appear. These tones give hair brassiness, or a harsh look. Brassiness can be caused by: harsh minerals in hard water fading hair dye UV sun exposure styling with heat bleaching or lightening hair bleached highlights Since purple neutralizes yellow, using a purple shampoo can mitigate the look of brassiness, so that your hair looks blonde instead of yellow. How Often to Use Purple shampoos often contain cleansing and conditioning ingredients, like those found in high quality regular shampoos. However, purple shampoo is a toner, not a cleansing or moisturizing product. Some purple shampoos are designed for daily use, but many are meant to be used once or twice a week, rather than daily. There are many brands of purple shampoo, so following the manufacturer's directions for use is your best bet for protecting your hair. Some purple shampoos can dry out hair if they're used too often. They can also strip hair of more yellow color than you'd like. This can make your hair look brown instead of blonde. When determining usage, you can also use the overall appearance of your hair as a guide. If it looks brassy, dull, or yellow, see if toning with a purple shampoo makes a difference. If it does, your hair's appearance may benefit from using your chosen product often. Application Tips In general, you can use purple shampoo the same way you do other types of shampoo: Read the manufacturer's label to make sure you're using it as directed. Unless specified otherwise: Wet your hair in the shower or sink. Based on the length and thickness of your hair, apply several capfuls of purple shampoo. Lather the shampoo so that it penetrates your hair from scalp to tip. Leave it in for 2 to 5 minutes. Rinse. Follow up with a conditioner for moisturization and detangling. FAQs Read on to find the answers to some frequently asked questions. Will purple shampoo turn my hair purple? Overuse of purple shampoo can give certain hair tones a purple, pink, or blue tint. Make sure to use your shampoo only once or twice a week, unless otherwise specified by the manufacturer. Overuse of purple shampoo can give certain hair tones a purple, pink, or blue tint. Make sure to use your shampoo only once or twice a week, unless otherwise specified by the manufacturer. Does purple shampoo lighten hair? No. Purple shampoo only removes brassy undertones. It is not a hair dye and will not lighten dark hair. No. Purple shampoo only removes brassy undertones. It is not a hair dye and will not lighten dark hair. Is purple shampoo safe for color-treated hair? Yes. When used correctly, purple shampoo is safe to use on color-treated hair. In fact, it is primarily designed to treat hair that has been dyed shades of blonde. Yes. When used correctly, purple shampoo is safe to use on color-treated hair. In fact, it is primarily designed to treat hair that has been dyed shades of blonde. How long does it take to see results from using purple shampoo? You should start to see an improvement in your hair's color tone after only a few washes. If you don't see results, consider using the shampoo more often, or using a bigger quantity when you wash your hair. Changing brands may also be beneficial. You should start to see an improvement in your hair's color tone after only a few washes. If you don't see results, consider using the shampoo more often, or using a bigger quantity when you wash your hair. Changing brands may also be beneficial. Are there any alternatives to purple shampoo for maintaining blonde or gray hair? Yes. Look for cool-toned shampoos that are color-specific for your shade of hair. Certain shampoo brands cater to gray, white, or silver hair. Shampoos for naturally blonde and dyed blonde hair are also typically cool-toned and may include ingredients like okara extract, pearl extract, and sunflower extract.
