Frequently Asked Questions

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Real Food First is a non-profit organization that is focused on eliminating synthetic dyes in food, educating children and teens on the harmful effects of synthetic dyes and chemicals in food and building a network of food suppliers and restaurants committed to using real food first. 

In the US, The Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906 was created to combat the manufacture, sale, or transportation of adulterated or misbranded or poisonous or deleterious foods, drugs, medicines, and liquors. This Act reduced the permitted list of synthetic colors from 700 down to seven. Still, adulteration of food continues for many years.

Synthetic dyes became available in the 1900s. Early artificial colors were called "coal-tar" colors because the base materials were derived from bituminous coal. Today, most synthetic coloring come from petroleum (or crude oil). The final products have been rigorously tested to ensure that they contain no traces of the original petroleum.  

Seven dyes were initially approved under The Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906; however, several have been de-listed and replaced.

Today, the FDA must approve every patch of certified coloring a manufacturer produces.

However,  a study in 2007 at the University of Southampton, identified six dyes that came to be known as the “Southampton Six” and are linked to hyperactivity in children. These six dyes when used now require warning labels in the E.U. 

The FDA, however, is not so convinced that such measures are necessary. 

At Real Food First we feel differently.  

Sources:

https://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/education/reso...

http://www.forbes.com/sites/rachelhennessey/2012/...

https://petroleumservicecompany.com/blog/artificial-food-dye-is-from-petroleum/

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-11777037/The-risky-food-additives-

https://www.ewg.org/news-insights/news-release/2023/09/landmark-bill-banning-harmful-food-chemicals-california-heads banned-Europe-legal-US.html 

You can donate to Real Food First by clicking on the 'Donate' button on our website or by contacting us directly.