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Consumption of artificial food colourings by school children in the Netherlands

Joana Kist-van Holthe, Teatske M. Altenburg, Siham Bolakhrif, Louisa el Hamdi, Ming W. Man, Jing Tu, Mai J. Chinapaw

Background: There is on-going controversy as to whether food colourings can cause symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children. The aim of our study was to assess which artificial food colourings children in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, consume, and in what quantities. Methods: A variety of products available in supermarkets and grocery shops in Amsterdam were surveyed for the presence of artificial food colourings (2012–2013). Subsequently, daily intake of artificial food colourings were assessed in a convenience sample of children (n=121, median age 7.0, range 5–12 years, 50% boys) using a three-day prospective food diary (two weekdays and one day at the weekend), and compared to the acceptable daily intake (ADI). Results: Seventy-three of 550 (13%) products from supermarkets, groceries, and Turkish and Moroccan shops contained artificial food colourings, predominantly in sweets (33%) and (carbonated) beverages (31%). Brilliant Blue (E133), Patent Blue (E131) and Indigotine (E132) were most often encountered. Of the 121 children surveyed, 18 (15%) consumed artificial food colourings, though only Brilliant Blue (E133), Patent Blue (E131), Indigotine (E132) and Green S (E142) were encountered. The mean intake varied from 0.02–0.96 mg/kg/day, which is below the ADI (5–15 mg/kg/day). None of the children consumed yellow, orange or red artificial food colours. Conclusions: Intake of artificial food colourings in children in Amsterdam is well below the acceptable daily intake (ADI) and is limited to Brilliant Blue (E133), Patent Blue (E131), Indigotine (E132) and Green S (E142).