Question

Write about artificial food colours, the substances used in them and their harmful effects.

Answer 1

Food colours are often mixed with most of the available foodstuff in the market, such as sweets, soft drinks, cakes, ice creams, meat, spices etc. These food colours are present in the form of powders, gels and pastes. They are used in domestic as well as commercial products. These food colours can be natural as well as artificial in nature. Tartrazene and sunset yellow are extensively used artificial food colours.

While natural food colours are harmless and can be consumed without worry, artificial food colours, on the other hand, do have some adverse effects. Consuming these on a regular basis is harmful for us as they contain small quantities of lead and mercury. Excessive consumption of foods with added artificial colours can cause diseases like ADHA (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) in children.