Food Color Additives in the US Food Supply: Review of Neurobehavioral Safety

Currently approved food additives, including color additives, have a long history of safe use in human consumables. Many food additives are added to increase the flavor or other sensory appeal of food items and have typically been viewed as enhancing the experience of eating or drinking. Research on the impact of food color additives (FCAs) upon neurobehavior, especially focusing on hyperactive behavioral symptoms in children and adolescents, began in the mid-1970s in the United States (US) with animal and human studies.