Are you concerned about additives in food?

'Food watchdogs have said hyperactivity in children is definitely fuelled by additives in sweets, biscuits and fizzy drinks.

The Food Standards Agency Study confirms kids who have eaten E-numbers find it more difficult to sit still and concentrate.

They also have problems reading and become loud and impulsive.

Psychology Professor Jim Stevenson, who led the FSA-commissioned study, said: "We now have clear evidence that mixtures of certain food colours and benzoate preservative can adversely influence the behaviour of children.

"There is some previous evidence that some children with behavioural disorders could benefit from the removal of certain food colours from their diet.

"We have now shown that for a large group of children in the general population, consumption of certain mixtures of artificial food colours and benzoate preservative can influence their hyperactive behaviour."

He added: "However, parents should not think that simply taking these additives out of food will prevent all hyperactive disorders.

"We know that many other influences are at work but this at least is one a child can avoid."

The FSA will now send the findings to the European Food Safety Authority, which is reviewing the safety of all EU permitted food colours.

A food and drink industry representative said the way the additives were tested was not the same as they were used in everyday products.

Julian Hunt of the Food and Drink Federation said: "It is important to reassure consumers that the Southampton study does not suggest there is a safety issue with the use of these additives.

"In addition, the way in which the additives were tested as a mixture is not how they are used in everyday products.

"As a responsible industry, we shall be studying the detail of the research and companies will clearly take account of these findings as part of their ongoing review of product formulations.

"The industry continues to respond to consumer demand by reducing the use of additives and there are many food and drink products on supermarket shelves that contain no artificial colours." '

I do dislike the phrase 'kids who have eaten E-numbers' ... some E-numbers are perfectly safe! It is simply a reference system for standard additives. However, it can be a way for manufacturers to hide behind bureauocracy and SOME additives are definitely suspected of causing problems. Now we have some official evidence!

My particular hates are annato and many sweeteners which are passed off as harmless but may be carcinogenic - likely to lead to cancer.

Which camp do you fall into? Do you believe that the FDA has our best interests at heart? Are you running scared at all the E-numbers/additives our food has or do you research your foods and know what is likely to be acceptable and what is not?