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Ghana: 'No' to Bright Colourings in Sweets And Fizzy Drinks
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Accra Mail (Accra)
7 May 2008
Posted to the web 7 May 2008
Accra
Bright colourings in sweets and fizzy drinks that can make children hyperactive - the so-called "azodyes" - should be banned throughout the EU, the European Parliament's Environment, Public Health and Food Safety Committee voted this yesterday.
Swedish Social Democrat MEP Åsa Westlund, who led the legislation through the committee said, "I'm really pleased for the children in the EU. University studies have shown that a 'cocktail' of azodyes make kids hyper-active. This is great news for parents. The Commission must follow the Precautionary Principle on food additives."
The Committee unanimously agreed that if there is evidence that a food additive might cause undesirable side affects (such as azo-dyes), the Commission, in consultation with the Member States, should take immediate action to ban this substance.
The proposal must now be agreed by the plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg in July, after today's Second Reading Committee, and by the governments of the member states .
"I call on member states not to create unnecessary risks for children's health," said Ms. Westlund, who became a mother last year.
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The draft regulation on food additives is part of the Commission's Food Improvement Agents package. The aim is to harmonise, clarify and update current rules. It includes a proposal for a Common Authorisation Procedure for food additives, food enzymes and food flavourings and regulations on food enzymes and food flavouring.
"'A British study from Southampton University showed that children who consume food containing azodyes (an additive which gives sweets and soft drinks a bright colour) can become hyperactive ," she added.
"The European Food Safety Agency (EFSA) has also done a study on azodyes. EFSA concluded that a ban is unnecessary as they didn´t see any risk with single azo-colourings. The problem with the EFSA study - unlike the Southampton University study - is that it doesn't take into account the risk when children get a mix of different azo-dyes." she said.
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