Children were given either a placebo or an active drink containing the additives sunset yellow, tartrazine, carmoisine, ponceau 4R and sodium benzoate. Children’s behaviour was evaluated by clinic-based psychological tests and by parental reports. The study concluded that the psychological test results did not show any significant effect of the additives on the children’s behaviour, although the parental reports of behaviour did show some effect. Parents observed an improvement in behaviour when the additives were removed from the diet, and an increase in hyperactivity when the children were given the drink containing the additives. These effects were found across the whole group.

Although this research is in line with previous reports, independent medical and scientific experts agree that the evidence is not conclusive, and this therefore remains an area of significant scientific uncertainty.

The Agency is currently considering how to take forward further research in this area