Washington, June 3 - Robert Brackett, chief science officer for the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA), today released the following statement in response to the Center for Science in the Public Interest's petition to the US Food & Drug Administration to ban eight (8) FDA-approved food dyes, require food label warning statements, and to revise FDA public information:
"The safety of food dyes has been affirmed through extensive review by the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) (via the food additive review process) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and neither agency recommends a change to current policy. In addition, U.S. and international scientific reviews have determined that there is no demonstrable link between food dyes and hyperactivity among children.
"To date, the overwhelming majority of scientific evidence confirms the safety of certified food dyes and their lack of effect on behavior in children. As for the study cited in the petition filed by the Center for Science in Public Interest, EFSA reviewed the findings, noted considerable uncertainties, absence of clinical significance of behavior changes, and lack of discrete evaluation of individual colors or additives. EFSA concluded that the study did not support a change in current policy on the studied food colors and additives.
"Based on these findings, there is no need for consumers to alter their purchasing and eating habits and they and their children can safely enjoy food products containing these food colors."
The Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) represents the world's leading food, beverage and consumer products companies. The association promotes sound public policy, champions initiatives that increase productivity and growth and helps to protect the safety and security of the food supply through scientific excellence. The GMA board of directors is comprised of chief executive officers from the association's member companies. The $2.1 trillion food, beverage and consumer packaged goods industry employs 14 million workers, and contributes over $1 trillion in added value to the nation's economy.