It’s recently come to my attention that what we’re eating may not be so much as food, as it is some dram of poison.

I bought a banana milky way the other day and was about to eat it at work. My colleague exclaimed in disgust and surprise when I told him what it was I held in my hand, and then screamed, in what can only be described as primal fear, when I unwrapped the confectionary to eat it.

“Do you know what you’re doing?!”

At this point, I thought he may not have understood that it wouldn’t spoil my appetite… but before I could explain, the offending candy was swatted from my hand.

To cut a long story short, I was shown a list of common food colourings found in candy and other assorted goodness… and their related effects.

102 & E102 Tartrazine
Artificial colouring. Common name for uncertified FD&C Yellow; No.5 Cl Acid Yellow; Acid Yellow 23; Cl Food Yellow 4; Coal Tar Dye;

Pyrazolone Dye. Tartrazine is an Aromatic Hydrocarbon. Causes cancer. The FDA states that over 100,000 people are allergic to tartrazine.

U.K. studies have shown that 79% of hyperactive children are allergic to tartrazine. It is believed to cause allergic reactions in 15% of the total population. Known effects are urticaria, asthma, altered states of perception and behaviour, uncontrolled hyper agitation and confusion. Known reactions are rhinitis (hay fever), bronchospasms (breathing problems), blurred vision and purple patches on the skin. It may also cause wakefulness in young children at night. Tartrazine is known to inhibit zinc metabolism (zinc is required in over 200 enzyme systems in the body).

It is an active ingredient in herbicides used to kill aquatic weeds. In 1986 the ‘British Institute of Mental Handicap’ linked it with aggressive behaviour in children. Prevents the action of an enzyme that breaks down many potentially harmful toxins formed during digestion. Tartrazine is one of four Azo dyes known to interfere with the digestive enzymes 1-Amylase, Pepsin and Trypsin. The British Medical Journal, the “Lancet”, lists these problems associated with tartrazine:- Allergies; Thyroid Tumours; Lymphocytic Lymphomas, Chromosomal Damage;

Trigger for Asthma; Urticaria; Hyperactivity.
As an Azo Dye, it is implicated in bladder cancer, liver cancer and sarcomas. (In hair dyes, tartrazine is absorbed through the skin.)

Tartrazine is completely banned from foods in Norway and Finland and is heavily restricted in Austria, Sweden and Germany.

110 & E110 Sunset Yellow FCF (Yellow No.6)
Artificial colouring. Also called FD & C Yellow No.6; Cl Food Yellow 3. Causes cancer.

Azo Dye - As an Azo Dye, it is implicated in bladder cancer, liver cancer and sarcomas. (In hair dyes, tartrazine is absorbed through the skin.) Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon - (listed as human carcinogens by the EPA). Aspirin sensitive people will incur allergies to Sunset Yellow.

It produces urticaria, angi-oedema (swelling of the blood vessels), gastric upset, and vomiting. Dangerous to asthmatics and causes hyperactivity and ADD. Should be avoided by those suffering from rhinitis.

One in 1000 are allergic to Sunset Yellow. It is one of four Azo dyes known to interfere with the digestive enzymes 1-Amylase, Pepsin and Trypsin. The ‘Lancet’ list these problems associated with Sunset Yellow: hives; rhinitis; nasal congestion; bronchoconstriction; when combined with Amaranth [123] or Ponceau [124], it may cause an anaphylactoid reaction; eosinophilotactic response; purpura; allergies; kidney tumours; chromosomal damage; abdominal pain; indigestion and distaste for food.

(Dogs fed 2% suffered eye defects, sometimes causing blindness. Caused an increased incidence of tumours in animals. Growth retardation and weight loss was experienced.
Completely banned in U.K., Norway, Finland and Sweden

Cancer, blindness and hyperactivity… were among the nicer varieties of side-effect. I embarked on an almost fanatical examination of the food I was eating. Everything from chewing gum to soft drink to JUICE seems to contain some sort of additive or colouring that threatens my attention span or ability to procreate.



Needless to say, I ate the Milky Way with considerably less vigour then I otherwise would have.