Children’s Exposure to Food Dyes at School: Time for a Policy Change

Artificial food colors (AFCs) have become ubiquitous in the standard American diet. Average intake of AFCs has increased 5-fold in the past 20 years. Mounting evidence links the consumption of AFCs to symptoms of hyperactivity and inattention in children both with and without known, previous hyperactivity. Additionally, food dyes deceive consumers into thinking foods are higher in nutritional content than they really are, making it more difficult to follow current dietary recommendations. Both of these factors are relevant to the school environment. Hyperactivity and inattention in early elementary grades are known to predict poor academic outcomes by adolescence. Children meeting dietary guidelines for nutrition are better equipped to learn. By establishing policies that reduce children’s exposure to AFCs at school, school officials may reduce the amount and degree of hyperactivity and inattentiveness in the classrooms and more easily support children in consuming a healthy diet. The development and implementation of local, school policies to eliminate food rewards and remove food from celebrations presents the most viable policy option for reducing AFC consumption in schools. Public health can support local school policy by developing interventions within the three core functions of public health: assessment, policy development, and assurance.Master of Public Healt