Manufacturers use more than 15 million pounds of food dyes in their products on a yearly basis, according to CBS News. Food dyes are used to make your fruit punch appear more red or banana-flavored candy more yellow. While food dyes may enhance a food's appearance, it is possible to experience a sensitivity to certain food dyes. Knowing how to recognize the symptoms of a food dye allergy can help you treat it.
Significance
An allergy occurs when you touch or ingest a substance your body views as foreign. When you consume a food or food dye to which you are allergic, your body's immune response is activated. This can cause a variety of reactions, ranging from swelling, rash, warmth or redness to anaphylactic shock, a reaction that causes your airways to swell, inhibiting your breathing. Food dye allergies also can cause mental reactions, including increased irritability and confusion.
Common Dyes
Certain people may be more sensitive to food dye additives than others. While a number of food dyes are available, the most commonly used ones are Red 40, Yellow 5 and Yellow 6, according to CBS News. Manufacturers frequently add these dyes to foods intended for children, such as cereals, fruit drinks or candies, and the dyes are listed on the ingredients labels. Children may be especially susceptible to food dye allergies. You or your child may suffer a reaction each time you eat a red-, yellow- or green-colored food.
Misconception
A common misconception is that food dye allergies are widespread, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. Whole foods such as milk, peanuts, strawberries or tomatoes are more likely to cause an allergic reaction than food dyes. If you suspect you or a loved one is experiencing a food dye allergy, your physician may first recommend testing for whole foods instead to rule out a more common allergy.
Expert Insight
As new food dyes and additives emerge, it's possible to experience a greater incidence of allergic reactions to the additives. "In the last 20 years, we've seen a 400 percent increase in food allergies," said Robyn O'Brien, the founder of The Allergy Kids Foundation, who was interviewed in the "Chicago Tribune." "And these reactions can be anything from physical, like a rash or upset stomach, to emotional or behavioral issues."
Treatment
Always speak to your physician if you suspect you or a loved one may be experiencing a food dye allergy. The most common treatment method is avoidance of the dye. However, you also may need to keep an epinephrine pen on hand if you experience severe reactions to food dyes. This pen can be injected if you start to go into anaphylactic shock to prevent your airway from closing up.
References
- FamilyDoctor.org; Food Allergies: Just the Facts; July 2010
- "Chicago Tribune"; Food Dyes and Allergies; Jen Weigel; January 2011
- University of Michigan News Service; Food Dye Can Cause Severe Allergic Reactions; November 1997
- CBS News; Food Dyes Linked to Allergies, ADHD and Cancer: Group Calls on U.S. to Outlaw Their Use; David Freeman; June 2010
