Oct 25, 2016

What are Artificial Colors?

Artificial colors are widely used in different types of products and items available in the market today. Right from nail polish, medications, toothpaste, food products and almost every other item today consists of artificial colors. In fact, our clothes, shoes, bed linens and carpets also consist of artificial colors or cosmetic colors that make them look more attractive and appealing. Read on to find out more about artificial colors and their usage.

Artificial Colors Defined

Artificial colors are basically a combination of seven artificial dyes that have been approved by the food authorities. These colors include Blue 1, Green 3, Blue 2, Red 3, Red 40, Yellow 6 and Yellow 6. Thus, the manufacturers can use certain combination of colors for creating cosmetic pigments depending upon their choice and preference. The artificial colors are basically sourced from a combination of different food dyes.

Reasons for Avoiding Artificial Colors in Food

It is no hidden secret that artificial colors consist of different types of chemicals that are usually extracted from petroleum based products. Thus, they can cause numerous health problems such as allergy problems, cancer and other behavioral changes. Some of the common problems caused by artificial colors include ADHD, Confusion, Eczema, Frustration, Hyperactivity, Itchiness, Mood Swings and Sleep Disturbances and Violent outbursts among other health issues. As a result, a number of European food manufacturing companies are not using artificial or cosmetic colors in their products.

• Hyperactive Children: Artificial colors often make children more hyperactive and impact their learning ability negatively. According to the washingtonpost, artificial food colors can cause children with no behavioral issues inattentive and hyperactive.
• Do Not Add Any Value: Artificial colors do not add any value to our food items. The truth is that artificial colors are only used for making food and beverages attractive and appealing. Hence, the food and drug authorities are now banning the use of artificial colors in food products.However, they have permitted the use of cosmetic colors or artificial colors in production of cosmetic products. A growing number of cosmetic companies use cosmetic lakes, consisting of iron oxide, titanium dioxide and ultramarines, at the time of manufacturing their beauty products and items.
• Cause Obesity Problems: Another reason why artificial colors must not be included in food products is because they cause obesity problems. Both adults and children are easily attracted to junk food items simply because they are more colorful and appealing. This often causes obesity in them and many of them tend to gain unnecessary weight.

Given the above scenario, an increasing number of food products manufacturing companies are now replacing artificial colors with natural or organic colors. In fact, in the U.S. alone around 40 percent of food and beverage manufacturers have replaced artificial colors with natural colors. These natural colors are extracted from organic or natural sources and are undoubtedly good for health. Consumers must therefore go through the labels on their food packets and products and find out whether the ingredients and colors used for making them are natural or artificial.