Monthly Newsletter – August ’23

Synthetic Food Dyes

(And Their Risks To Children)

Despite the decades old controversy surrounding synthetic food dyes and their possible link to hyperactivity in children, the FDA has yet to establish a causal relationship between the two!

 

What’s Taking So Long?

When asked by Consumer Reports Magazine (November 14, 2022 | Updated February 2, 2023) what was taking so long to act on the issue of regulating Synthetic Food Dyes (Specifically Red Dye #3), the FDA responded with the following statement. “The FDA evaluates and approves color additives for certain uses, based on the most current science available at the time. Following our initial evaluation, our scientists continue to review relevant new information to determine whether there are safety questions and whether the use of such substance is no longer safe under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.”

Legislation:

Legislators in California are currently pushing for warning labels to be placed on food products containing artificial food dyes, so parents can make informed decisions about what their children eat.

This move is similar to what the European Union did back in 2007, which required warning labels on products containing certain dyes. As a result, many manufacturers opted to remove synthetic food dyes from their European market altogether and used natural dyes instead.

Who May Be Most Affected by Food Dyes?

Food safety experts and advocates agree that while dyes likely pose risks to people of all ages. Young children may be the most vulnerable. Even older studies suggest a link between food coloring and children’s behavioral problems. In fact, 64 percent of the 27 clinical studies analyzed showed an association between food coloring and children’s behavioral problems. Recent studies were more likely to show a correlation, with 5 out of the 6 studies done after 1990 reporting statistically significant results.

What Is Being Done Currently?

The FDA suggests that parents who wish to limit their children’s intake of synthetic dyes check food ingredient lists on labels. Some consumer advocacy organizations are pushing for the FDA to either revoke approval for dyes or to inform consumers about the risks from them. A senior scientist at the Center for Science in the Public Interest, claims that dyes and artificial colorings aren’t vitamins or nutrients. Simply stated, they are cosmetics used to make unhealthy foods look more appealing to children.

What Can Parents Do To Protect Their Children?

The precise effect of dyes, even in the best-run clinical trials, can be difficult to tease out. Foods with artificial colors often have other additives, like sugar, that may influence behavior. Many families claim that they can pinpoint dyes as the cause of their children’s issues. They are accomplishing this simply by a process of elimination.

Without government intervention likely in the matter anytime soon, that is my recommendation for families with young children. Avoid foods and drinks that contain U.S. certified colors Red #3, Red #40, Blue #2, Yellow #5 (Tartrazine), Yellow #6 (Sunset Yellow), as well as sodium benzoate. If your child’s health has been improved, then you know that you have taken a step in the right direction.

In a word…Do your own due diligence when your family’s health is at stake! Read current peer reviewed medical journals and reports on the subject. Investigate who is backing the studies you read about in those journals. Determine if the study is biased one way or another. Make informed decisions based upon what YOU have learned yourself in those readings.

In Summary:

Ultimately, the debate over synthetic food dyes and their potential impact on children’s behavior continues. The push for more transparency and education on the matter is growing. Legislators and advocacy groups are uniting in a call to action. Warning labels and more information on food product labels are suggested. Check out the section on Label Reading in my Wellness Academy for more guidance on that subject.

Baked Black Bean Burgers

Recipe for Delicious Baked Black Bean Burgers

Are you tired of bean burgers that fall apart and make a mess? This gluten-free vegan baked black bean burger recipe is the solution to your problem! It has a delightful chewy texture, holds its shape, and doesn’t fall apart when you take a bite. And it gets even better – these burgers are incredibly healthy and virtually fat-free. They are packed with delectable salsa flavor with a bit of a spicy kick, making them perfect for kids and adults alike. Unlike other bland black bean burgers, these burgers are loaded with flavor, which makes them hard to resist before baking.

Not only are these burgers nut-free, gluten-free, and oil-free, but they also make great crumbled taco “meat.” When the burgers are crumbled and served in tortilla wraps with Mexican Tahini Sauce, they become a mouthwatering treat.

The Secret Ingredients

Cornmeal and mashed potatoes are the secret ingredients that make these burgers so amazing. Unlike most bean burger recipes that use standard flour, breadcrumbs, or oats for binding, these burgers use cornmeal and potatoes to create a firm, meaty texture. The potatoes cook and form a thin crust on the outside, while the cornmeal helps to bind the burgers, keep the inside moist, and give them a nice chew.

Toppings and Freezing

These burgers are versatile and can be topped with your favorite toppings. We recommend lettuce, onions, tomatoes, and Mexican tahini, but salsa on top is equally as mind-blowing.

These burgers are versatile and can be topped with your favorite toppings. I recommend lettuce, onions, tomatoes, and Mexican tahini, but salsa on top is equally as mind-blowing.

You can also freeze these baked black bean burgers. Cook them as instructed, let them cool, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and foil, and freeze. When you’re ready to eat, reheat them in the oven at 300°F for 10-15 minutes.

Remember, these are bean burgers and are not meant to resemble meat! Trust me, they are so delicious that you won’t even miss the meat. Give them a try and let me know what you think!