FDA’s Dr. Makary: ‘I Don’t Think We Appreciated the Potential Risks to Human Health’ When Petroleum-Based Food Dyes Were First Introduced

EXCERPT:

MAKARY: “I don't think we appreciated the potential risks to human health and child health when they were first introduced. Yellow dye number 5 for example was noted to be a bright vibrant yellow color as the byproduct of coal tar in the coal ash, and then people decided to put it in fabric and then they thought well we can put it in food. The studies have caught up with the introduction of these petroleum-based chemical food dyes, and the data doesn't look good. Studies have shown in association with ADHD. It also makes ultra-processed food look more attractive for young kids, messing with their minds, where they feel full and they want more of the food.”