EFSA: inconsistencies in food additives/child behavior studies

Scientists at Europe’s food safety watchdog have completed an assessment of a recent study on the effect of two mixtures of certain food colors and the preservative sodium benzoate on children’s behavior. The study, published last year by researchers at Southampton University in the United Kingdom (McCann et al, 2007), suggested a link between these mixtures and hyperactivity in children. The European Food Safety Authority’s (EFSA) AFC Panel, with the help of experts in behavior, child psychiatry, allergy and statistics, concluded that this study provided limited evidence that the mixtures of additives tested had a small effect on the activity and attention of some children. However, the effects observed were not consistent for the two age groups and for the two mixtures used in the study. Considering the overall weight of evidence and in view of the considerable uncertainties, such as the lack of consistency and relative weakness of the effect and the absence of information on the clinical signifi cance of the behavioral changes observed, the Panel concluded that the fi ndings of the McCann et al study could not be used as a basis for altering the ADI of the respective food colors or sodium benzoate. Among the purported limitations of the new study, was the inability to pinpoint which additives may have been responsible for the effects observed in the children given that mixtures and not individual additives were tested.

Although the fi ndings from the study could be relevant for specifi c individuals showing sensitivity to food additives in general or to food colors in particular, the EFSA said it is not possible at present to assess how widespread such sensitivity may be in the general population. The Panel assisted by behavioral experts considered that the signifi cance of the effects on the behavior of the children was unclear since it was not known if the small changes in attention and activity observed would interfere with schoolwork or other intellectual functioning.

The AFC Panel is currently re-evaluating the safety of all food colors authorized in the EU on a case-by-case basis and the colors used in the McCann et al study are included in EFSA’s review. Opinions on some of the colours concerned, such as Allura Red, are expected to be adopted by the end of the year.