Food colours and hyperactivity

Introduction

If your child shows signs of hyperactivity or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), eliminating some colours from their diet might have beneficial effects on their behaviour.

These colours include:

sunset yellow (E110)
quinoline yellow (E104)
carmoisine (E122)
allura red (E129)
tartrazine (E102)
ponceau 4R (E124)

These colours are used in a number of foods, including soft drinks, sweets, cakes and ice cream.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has published a list of manufacturers with food ranges free from the six colours .

Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 24 Feb 2015

Articles for food colours and hyperactivity

Introduction

If your child shows signs of hyperactivity or ADHD, eliminating some colours from their diet might have some beneficial effects on their behaviour.

All food additives, whether natural or artificial, must go through a rigorous safety assessment and approval procedure, and must comply with European Union (EU) legislation. They're only allowed to be

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