Brightly colored foods may be attractive to children, but they may not always be healthy. The European Union and some other governments have tightened regulations on the use of artificial colorants in foods, and food companies and fast food chains have publicly pledged to phase out these colorants from their products. But how can parents avoid artificial colors in their children's food? To help parents reduce their consumption of artificial food coloring, here are five steps to get started.
1.Check Nutrition Labels
The first step is to check nutrition labels for artificial colors.
Look for foods that use natural food colors from fruit and vegetable extracts instead of artificial ones. This is especially important for processed foods, as they are more likely to contain artificial colors.
2.Use the EWG's Dirty Dozen Guide to Food Additives
The Environmental Working Group (EWG) has created a guide to help consumers identify which foods contain artificial colors. The guide is called the Dirty Dozen Guide to Food Additives and it can be found on the EWG website.
3.Avoid Titanium Dioxide
Titanium dioxide is an artificial food coloring that has been linked to DNA damage. It is commonly found in peppermint candies with red and white stripes, so it is important to avoid these candies if you want to reduce your consumption of artificial food colors.
4.Be Aware of Caramel Coloring
Caramel coloring is another artificial food coloring that should be avoided.
It has been linked to health risks, so it is important to be aware of it when shopping for food.
5.Look for Labels in the European Union
The European Union requires labels on foods that contain artificial colors, and the United Kingdom has called for a voluntary ban on six artificial colors. So if you are shopping in the EU or UK, look for labels that indicate whether a product contains artificial colors. By following these five steps, parents can reduce their consumption of artificial food coloring and improve their overall health. Remember, the foods we consume play an important role in our health, so focus on eating healthy whole foods instead of processed foods with artificial colorants.
