If you have Fruit Loops in your pantry, should you throw them out? Parents across the country are asking this question after the FDA and California banned certain synthetic food dyes linked to cancer and behavioral problems in children.
Dr. Rebecca Bevans, a professor at Western Nevada College, states that scientific evidence indicates artificial food dyes may have caused her son to experience aggression, fidgeting, difficulty paying attention in school, inattentiveness, and even thoughts of suicide.
"I became an expert 12 years ago in the effects of artificial food dyes because our son was reacting to something he was eating. It was causing some severe neuro-behavioral issues," said Professor of Psychology at Western Nevada College Dr. Rebecca Bevans.
Dr. Bevan's son was experiencing aggression, symptoms of ADHD, anxiety, and even suicidal thoughts.
As a mother and researcher, she dedicated her graduate school research at the University of Nevada, Reno, to exploring the links between artificial food dye and behavioral health problems in children.
"By removing food dyes, we stopped the buzzing, we stopped all the other behaviors that he had," said Dr. Bevans.
The documentary "To Dye For" claims that 8 to 10% of American children experience behavioral health problems due to artificial food dyes. Dr. Bevans' research indicates her son was among them.
"It is an amazing documentary because it touches on all the basics. They talked to researchers, they talked to parents, they went to Europe to talk to the big researchers in the UK," said Bevans.
Last week, the FDA announced a ban on the food dye Red No. 3, which has been linked to cancer in animal studies. This action follows a bill signed by California Governor Gavin Newsom in September, prohibiting six other food dyes in school cafeterias due to concerns about their impact on children's behavior.
"If you or your child are having any of it: anxiety, OCD, ADHD, any intrusive thoughts, any neurobehavioral issues, try removing synthetic food colors from your diet for two weeks, just for two weeks, and see how you feel," said Bevans.
Dr. Bevans warns about food dyes identified by numbers—including, Red 40, Yellow 5, and Yellow 6—which may be carcinogenic.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. stated that if he is nominated as Secretary of Health and Human Services, he will instruct all cereal companies to eliminate these dyes from their products.
