Did you know that the state of California is considering banning some food dyes in school meals? The ones they are considering include blue 1 and 2, green 3, red 40, yellow 5 and ,6 and titanium dioxide. theguardian.com. 

What they are asking isn't unreasonable since some of the manufacturers no longer use them when they ship their products to certain European countries. Many there are much more ready to protect their food supply than the FDA has been for our nation. 

Let's explore the yellows. Not only is yellow #5 added to a host of commonly consumed foods it's also in certain medications, vitamin pills, cosmetics, pickles, paint, and pet snacks! 

Some particles of tartrazine are small enough for you or your children to inhale them. "Public health authorities classify tartrazine as potentially hazardous. webmd.com

Many children are sensitive to this chemical which can possibly cause uncomfortable skin rashes. However, researchers rank this low. If your child tends to have allergies, note whether they are itching their skin because of discomfort.
Some have been known to cough and even vomit when exposed to it. 

This is a chemical age. We've gone way beyond the "Better Living Through Chemistry," commercials to a time when some people's bodies are filled with one toxin after another from birth to death.  

Here are some other names for Yellow # 5: Cilefa Yellow T, Hispacid Fast Yellow T, Lake Yellow, Maple Tartrazol Yellow, trisodium salt, Wool Yellow, Xylene Fast Yellow GT and Y-4.  

"Six of 11 studies showed genotoxicity and hyperactivity in children," according to scpinet.org. This was an animal study because certain animals may react similarly to humans. For instance, a Yellow #6 study indicated that it could possibly cause tumors of the adrenals and testicles. 

According to some studies, other possible reactions can include, "hives, swelling of the lips, tongue, throat and neck, asthma, and food intolerances." 

Yellow # 5 was seen to be toxic to brain nerve cells in rat studies. It's thought their nervous system is close to that of humans. (Who would have thought!)  It limited the neurotransmitters to the brain, and increased brain cell death."  

Studies also indicate that the more of this dye that children consume, the greater the negative effect.
It was also noted that the damage to the DNA could set up a susceptible person to genetic mutations that could lead to cancer.. verywellhealth.com.  

Now, we'll look at Yellow # 6. Many medications use this dye. They range from Adderall to Prednisone. See drugs.com

Yellow is yet another food dye made from petroleum. iamgoingvegan.com mentions studies that indicate Yellow # 6 can cause hyperactivity in rats. It also indicated a possible effect on the adrenal glands. 

An article in pubmed.ncbi.nim.nih.gov indicated that a mixture of dyes fed to pregnant rats led to "a decrease in motivation and anxiety in offspring." Another article from pubmed.ncbi.nim.nih.gov (Toxicology of food dyes), found that Red 40, and both of the yellows were contaminated with carcinogens, namely benzidine or others. 

Is it possible these food dyes are increasing behavioral problems in schools? More and more doctors and researchers are indicating that they are. That's one reason why California is considering banning them. 

So what should a concerned adult do? Educate yourself. Learn to read labels. Check out the sites mentioned for more information. Change your food-buying habits. Children may resist this at first, but you can enlist them in reading for colors in their favorite foods or snacks.  

Help them learn that these items are not good for their bodies. A woman once wrote a book called, "Children Are Wet Cement." The things you teach them when they are young will have an effect at some point in time. Why not equip them to learn to live a healthy lifestyle while they are young? 

We will learn how to stay healthy! 

Nancy Pidutti, PhD, (NHH) author, educator, hospital Chaplain