Experts are warning parents to avoid giving their children food containing certain additives until results of a new study are published.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) says it will not issue formal recommendations until the findings are made available.

A test conducted by UK researchers over effects of artificial food coloring on children's behavior showed the results backed research made seven years ago that linked the additives to behavioral problems such as temper tantrums, poor concentration, hyperactivity and allergic reactions.

A team at the University of Southampton tested the additives tartrazine (E102), ponceau 4R (E124), sunset yellow (E110), carmoisine (E122), quinoline yellow (E104) and allura red AC (E129) on both three-year olds and eight-to-nine year olds.

The amounts used in the study were those that an average child might consume in a day.

The FSA's Committee of Toxicity on Chemicals looked at the original research, known as the Isle of Wight study, which had concluded that removal of colorings from children's diet would "significantly change" their behavior and not just in those already showing hyperactive behavior. But the Committee proved the research inconclusive in 2002.

At a recent closed meeting the Committee noted the "public health importance" of the new findings but the results will not be acted upon until published in a scientific journal.

The FSA says it would be handling the results in "a proper scientific way" and hoped it would be published shortly.

All additives tested in the study are approved for use in the EU and are safe but some colors are banned in Scandinavian countries and the US.

Pru Leith, chair of the School Food Trust says she hopes the findings would be published soon. "We are keen to promote fresh healthy home cooked food and if you get that sort of food you do not have to worry about additives," she said.
Professor Vyvyan Howard, an expert on the FSA's Additives and Behavior Working Group says it was important the findings were published but consumers could choose not to buy products containing the additives. "These compounds have no nutritional value and I personally do not give such foods to my 15-month-old daughter," he said.

Sainsbury's will next month become the first supermarket to ban artificial food colors and flavorings in its own-label soft drinks. Other major supermarkets are also reviewing their policies on additives due to pressure from parents.

FH/AVA