Feature

The Color of Controversy

Link between food dyes, childhood hyperactivity gets renewed attention

By Laura Beil

- More than 2 years ago

When it comes to the safety of dyeing food, the one true shade is gray.

Suzanne Tucker/ShutterStock

GOING NATURAL Natural food dyes include betanin (derived from beetroot), compounds from the seeds of the achiote tree and curcumin (from turmeric). from top: oksana2010/ShutterStock; Dr. Morley Read/ShutterStock; Le Do/ShutterStock

Artificial colorings have been around for decades, and for just about as long, people have questioned whether tinted food is a good idea.