What are the potential side effects of consuming pastel-colored foods on the human body?

Pastel-Colored Foods and Human Health Effects

The primary health concern with pastel-colored foods is not the pastel appearance itself, but rather the artificial food colorants used to create these colors, which have been linked to behavioral disturbances in children, potential carcinogenic effects, and various organ toxicities, though naturally-derived colorants appear safer. 1, 2

Understanding Food Colorants in Pastel Foods

Pastel colors in foods are achieved through color additives, which fall into two regulatory categories:

• Certified synthetic colors (subject to FDA certification) that have been used for decades 3
• Natural colors (exempt from certification) sourced from plants, minerals, and animals 3
• Up to 85% of consumer buying decisions are potentially influenced by color, making these additives commercially important 3

Health Risks of Synthetic Food Colorants

Neurological and Behavioral Effects

Artificial azo dye food colorants (AFCs) and sodium benzoate preservatives cause disturbed behavior in children, based on systematic review evidence. 2

• AFCs and benzoates demonstrate neurotoxic properties in animal models through gut microbial generation of toxic metabolites 2
• These additives increase risks of mental health disorders and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) 2
• Potential neurocognitive effects and behavioral changes occur at both medium and long-term exposure 4

Cancer and Organ Toxicity

Specific synthetic colorants pose distinct cancer risks:

• Blue 1 causes kidney tumors in mice, with documented deaths from ingestion 1
• Blue 2 causes brain tumors 1
• Citrus Red 2 causes urinary bladder tumors 1
• Animal models and in vitro studies demonstrate cytotoxic, genotoxic, and carcinogenic effects 2

Cardiovascular and Metabolic Effects

• High intake of emulsifiers (often combined with colorants in processed foods) shows associations with cardiovascular disease in observational studies 2
• Non-caloric sweeteners frequently paired with colored foods link to cardiovascular disease and depression in adults 2
• Childhood obesity associations exist with high intake of artificially colored ultra-processed foods 2

Natural Colorants: A Safer Alternative

Natural colorants appear to provide health-promoting contributions with fewer adverse effects compared to synthetic alternatives. 4

However, important caveats exist:

• Natural colors lack FDA evaluation and often have unclear definitions 3
• Significant adulteration risk exists, ranging from misbranding to chemical, physical, or microbial contamination 3
• Industry-wide safety standards are needed for manufacturing, processing, and application 3

Clinical Context: Ultra-Processed Foods

The real danger lies in the context of consumption:

• Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) contain combinations of multiple additives including colorants 2
• Children are the largest consumers of UPFs and face potential long-term risks for adult obesity, metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular diseases, mental health disorders, and cancers 2
• Many additives have no nutritional value but intensify color, thicken, increase shelf life, and enhance flavor 2

Regulatory Landscape and Gaps

Current regulations show significant inconsistencies:

• The FDA permits nine artificial colorings in foods, drugs, and cosmetics 1
• The European Union approves five artificial colors (E-104,122,124,131, and 142) for food 1
• Lack of uniform regulation concerning legal food colors worldwide creates safety concerns 5
• Illegal dyes with known or suspected genotoxic or carcinogenic properties are sometimes added to foods 5

Risk-Based Recommendations

Based on risk/benefit analysis, azo dye artificial food colorants should be avoided entirely, particularly in children. 2

For practical application:

• Prioritize natural, unprocessed foods which have well-described health-promoting properties 2
• When purchasing processed foods with pastel colors, check ingredient labels for specific colorants 5
• Benzoates, emulsifiers, and sweeteners require assessment of quantitative limits and cumulative effects 2
• Natural colorants, while generally safer, still require verification of source quality and processing methods 3

Special Considerations for Vulnerable Populations

Children warrant particular attention:

• Little research has focused specifically on children despite their being the largest UPF consumers 2
• Systematic review evidence establishes that AFCs and sodium benzoate preservative cause disturbed behavior in children 2
• Allergic reactions represent an additional concern with both synthetic and some natural colorants 4