[ad_1]
A color additive is defined by the FDA(food and drug administration) as “any ingredient that imparts color to a food, medication, cosmetic, or the human body.”
Food color is a man-made, complicated compound that was originally derived from coal tar but is now derived from petroleum. Petroleum is a crude oil product that is widely used to manufacture gasoline, diesel fuel, asphalt (the sticky black material used to build driveways), and plastic. Sounds delicious, doesn’t it?
What Is The Purpose Of Food Coloring?
Some food processing might erase the natural color of the food. Food coloring alters the color and appearance of food to make it more enticing to the consumer. Artificial food dye is often preferred over natural food dye because it has brighter hues, a longer shelf life, and a lower production cost. But artificial food colors can cause health issues.
Also read: 8 Amazing Food Items To Manage High Blood Pressure
The health issues can be as follows:
1) Food coloring and hyperactivity in children:
Research suggests that there is a modest link between food coloring and hyperactivity in children. Some research suggests that a hereditary component or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) renders some youngsters more vulnerable to this effect. Taking food coloring out of a child’s diet may help to alleviate these symptoms.
2) Contains carcinogenic and hazardous chemicals:
Some of the most regularly used food colors (Red 40, Yellow 5, and Yellow 6) contain carcinogens or cancer-causing chemicals such as 4-aminobiphenyl, 4-aminoazobenzene, and benzidine.
Red 3 was discovered to be an animal carcinogen in 1990, but it is still allowed in our food.
3) Allergies:
In sensitive people, artificial food coloring can induce allergic reactions such as rashes and asthma.
Does the color of food affect its taste?
The sight of food, like the aroma, sound, and texture, is part of the experience. Color influences how people perceive and taste food because it improves flavors and drives appetite. Color may also influence people’s judgment by changing how they perceive the food to be. Food color is also important since humans have evolved to be aware of it. Color is the most straightforward way to tell whether a food is rotten or harmful.
Also read: Vitamin K: Importance, Deficiency, & Food Sources
How Can We Replace Artificial Food Colours?
Natural green color can be prepared from spinach, red dye from beetroot, and purple can be prepared from purple carrot. Apart from this, there are many fruits and vegetables from which different types of natural colors can be prepared. Food made from these will be tasty and beneficial for health. We should not ignore adulteration in food, as they can become the cause of many major diseases.
Image Credit: Freepik
,
[ad_2]
