Possible ban on artificial colouring

The US state of Maryland is considering a ban on artificial colouring in food served in public schools and labelling on artificially coloured foods due to supposed links with hyperactive behaviour in children.

If it passes, it will be the first US state to pass such legislation that would initially prohibit public schools and childcare centres from providing food containing artificial colouring. The second bill would require warning labels on such food products being sold until 2012, when the additives would be banned all together.

Last year, Britain’s Food Standards Agency issued a voluntary ban on artificial food colourings after a 2007 study from the University of Southampton found a link between the additives and increased hyperactivity in children.