It is one of those conditions that we never seems to hear about when we were young, or maybe it didn't have a name then! It can be a living nightmare for parents trying to do the right thing for their ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) kids. In an effort to help the Food Standards Agency in the UK has updated its list of product ranges that do not contain the six food colours associated with possible hyperactivity in young children.

Another two manufacturers producing product lines free of the colours have been added to the list: Minara Foods Ltd and PoleStar Foods Ltd. In addition, the Subway chain of sandwich shops and restaurants has been added to the list, along with Legoland Windsor's pick 'n' mix sweets.

The list includes companies whose product ranges have never contained the six colours and companies whose product ranges that have been reformulated to remove the colours.

The colours, identified by a Southampton University study financed by the Food Standards Agency, are:
sunset yellow FCF (E110)
quinoline yellow (E104)
carmoisine (E122)
allura red (E129)
tartrazine (E102)
ponceau 4R (E124)
The Agency is publicising the product ranges to encourage the food industry to participate in the voluntary ban. The voluntary ban was agreed by Ministers in November 2008.

Consumers who are particularly concerned about the presence of the colours should continue to check labels, especially in the case of products with a long shelf-life, where the availability of reformulated products may vary.

Even more usefully, perhaps, the word has gone out that any food manufacturer, retailer or caterer wishing to notify the Agency that their brands or products are free of these colours, should email the details to Benedict Duncan, at benedict.duncan@foodstandards.gsi.gov.uk.
Caterers and restaurants with product ranges free from the six colours
Manufacturers with product ranges free from the six colours
Retailers with product ranges free from the six colours.

Keep up the good work!