Additives & Hyperactivity

Is there a link between additives and hyperactivity?

So is there a link between artificial colours and hyperactivity?

What does the latest research tell us?

The Southampton researchers claim that a mixture of artificial colours and the preservative sodium benzoate increased levels of hyperactivity in a test group of 3 year old and 8 year old children.

However, the findings were questioned by medical experts on the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), who reviewed the research for FSA. The EFSA experts were not convinced that the small alterations in attention and activity found in the Southampton study would actually interfere with schoolwork and other intellectual functioning.

What is the FSA’s advice to parents?

See Diet & Behaviour for more information.

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