Food Commission criticizes Cadbury, Mars for using banned artificial colors
Published:26-March-2009
By Datamonitor staff writer
Cadbury's Creme Egg and Cadbury's Mini Eggs, among the products that still contain the colors
The Food Commission, a UK-based independent watchdog on food issues, has criticized Cadbury and Mars for selling products that still contain one or more of the six artificial colors that can increase hyperactivity in susceptible children, despite the manufacturers promising to remove the colors from all sweet brands by the end of 2008.
According to the watchdog, Easter brands such as Cadbury's Creme Egg and Cadbury's Mini Eggs are among the products that still contain the colors. Cadbury promised to remove the colors in September 2007, and repeated the promise in April 2008 following the Food Standards Agency's (FSA) decision to pursue a 'voluntary ban' on the six colors.
Mars also reportedly pledged in September 2007 to remove all artificial colors from several ranges including Starburst by the end of 2007. In March 2009, however, Starburst Choozers still contain two of the colors and Mars Revels contain three of the six colors.
The Food Commission has also expressed concern that the FSA's voluntary ban on the six Southampton colors is not working effectively enough. In February 2009, seven months after the board meeting at which the voluntary ban was decided upon, the FSA launched lists of manufacturers, retailers and caterers that did not use any of the six colors. The lists, detailing 12 manufacturers, six retailers and two caterers, were generated by inviting companies to take part, rather than conducting a wider market survey.
