Food Additives and Behaviour

Recent United Kingdom (UK) research on a link between artificial food colours, a preservative and hyperactivity in children was published in 2007 in the medical journal The Lancet.

The research showed eating food or drinks that have certain artificial food colours, together with the preservative sodium benzoate, was linked with hyperactive behaviour in their sample of 3-year-old and 8/9-year-old children. The study design did not show which specific additive or additives may have been responsible for the behaviour changes in the children.

The artificial food colours and the preservative used in the UK study are approved as safe in Australia. Additives, including artificial colours, may not be added to foods unless they are approved and included in the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code.

For a list of food additives and their code numbers visit the Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) website. And for more information about the effects of artificial colours on children’s behaviour, see the FSANZ fact sheet.

There are many factors linked with hyperactive behaviour in children and this study provides useful information into the possible effects of food additives on behaviour in children. More studies are needed to identify those children most likely to be at risk and the specific food additives responsible. Although some children may benefit from avoiding certain food additives from their diet, it will not help all children.

If you are worried about a link between food additives and your child’s behaviour, see an Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD). APDs can look into any links between diet and behaviour while making sure your child still gets all the nutrients they need.

Page updated August 2008