If you grew up in the 90s, your childhood was probably characterized by brightly colored candies and ice creams ranging from nerds, basically pure, crunchy sugar with a rainbow coating, to Baskin-Robin’s rainbow, poprocks filled flavors which ultimately turned your mouth a sort of dark purplish, horror movie black. Even at 9 or 10 you might have thought to yourself, “This can’t be good for me.” Your parents almost definitely thought it at some point but probably figured that the harm was minimal or “they wouldn't sell it for kids.”

You and your parents were right to wonder and it turns out, we’ve known this well before now. Over a decade ago, European food standards moved to phased out artificial colorings, particularly 6 main ones tied to hyperactivity in children. Several studies showed that children with ADHD and without were more susceptible to behavioral issues after consuming these colorings. Eliminating food coloring from the diet led to an improvement in focus and behavior. Europe has since ruled out additional additives and most recently has banned White E171 food coloring as it has been linked to cancer. The same white food coloring is still used in thousands of products here in the US with no ban in sight. We are behind.

It isn’t as if the US simply doesn't know about the harm of food coloring. The FDA has reviewed the issue several times including in 2007 and 2011 and has decided that they didn’t see the harm in continuing to use the products despite some evidence suggesting harm. Where the European Commision decided the risk of harm was enough to phase these additives out, the FDA decided the same risk wasn’t overwhelming enough to make a change.

Some corporations have independently evaluated the risks as well and attempted to make a change. General Mills for example decided that it was worth attempting to create their most popular cereals without food coloring in 2016. They even vowed to go completely food coloring free in the following year. Unfortunately, when the change started to affect their bottom line and consumers complained that the cereal, specifically trix, just wasn't the same without blue and green pieces, General Mills relented and PUT THEM BACK. They now have the more healthy version for sale along with the original option but seem unlikely to get rid of the original Trix for the time being. Similarly, most food coloring while tied to allergies and now ADHD and other behavioral issues in children, seem to be here in the US to stay for now. While we’ve banned a few things, cancerous additives like white food coloring, don’t appear to be going anywhere.

While the US might be a step behind in banning these additives, it’s important to do what’s best for you and your own family. White food coloring in particular has been linked not only to cancer but also neurological damage. It’s just one of the many things banned in other places that we still ingest regularly here in the States. Make sure you know what you are eating regardless of its availability in your local grocery store!