Paediatricians worry about the health effects of certain food colors, additives

The American Academy of Pediatrics says chemicals in food additives like food dyes and preservatives are bad for kids and parents should limit their exposure to processed foods, according to a new study released by the group this week. report, which was published in the journal Pediatrics, also said that parents should avoid heating food in plastic containers because released chemicals can be harmful to children. The report examined research on chemicals used to treat food packaging, such as BPA used in resin coatings that prevent corrosion of metals and chemicals used to waterproof paper or cardboard.

the body and cause fertility problems, according to the report, and PFCs can reduce immunity, metabolism, and cause developmental problems. The report also reviewed studies that found that a decrease in food coloring consumption could be badociated with the improvement of symptoms of Attention Deficit Disorder, called ADHD, but it There is not enough evidence in this research to make a connection between the two. According to the PAA, the potentially harmful effects of food additives are of particular concern to children: children are more sensitive to chemicals because they eat and drink more than adults, relative to body weight. Some chemicals used in the packaging or food preparation process fall under an FDA rule called "generally recognized as safe", which means that any substance added to the food must be examined by the FDA unless the substance is "generally recognized, among the qualified experts, as having been shown to be adequately safe under the conditions of its intended use."

The Academy says in its policies there statement that many of these substances were approved because they were "generally recognized as safe" in the 1950s and that the process does not include the impact of chemicals that can be absorbed by food indirectly through the Packaging or dyes. The group is calling for a more rigorous process that includes testing on chemicals before they're allowed and testing chemicals that have been previously approved to make sure they're not toxic, which could force the Congress to review the data Leonardo Trasande, a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics Council, said that there are "critical weaknesses" in the process of regulating chemicals added to the food and the government is not enough "As pediatricians, we are particularly concerned about the significant gaps in data on the health effects of many of these chemicals on infants and children", said Trasande in a statement

. ] Dr. Jennifer Ashton, Chief Medical Correspondent of ABC News, said the effects of chemicals such as BPA have been known for years, but that the report of the American Academy of Pediatrics Data evidence on additives and chemicals in food containers to raise awareness.

"I think we all need to eat at the farm, not at the factory.We must try to minimize our consumption of processed food.In general, containers tend to be a problem so if you can use glbad and not plastic, and stainless steel.Do not reheat these things unless it's glbad and limit processed foods, "Ashton said on Good Morning America.

L & # American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that families eat more fresh fruits and vegetables and less processed meat, and try to avoid putting plastics in the dishwasher.

The Food and Drug Administration has refused to comment on the report, but a spokeswoman said that they were reviewing it as part of the evidence on the subject that the agency is considering whether the substances are not harmful when they are used as intended, including if they are in the category "generally recognized as safe" or are used in the packaging or manufacturing process.

"Food security is at the heart of the agency's mission to protect and promote public health for the consumers of our nation. We take seriously our commitment to consumers and the industry who are turning to the FDA for important advice on the food supply of our nation, including the safety of substances used in foods, "he said. said Ms. McSeveney in a statement.The FDA has the authority to review substances recognized as safe if new information or consumption patterns have changed.For example, in 2015, the FDA determined that scientists no longer consider partially hydrogenated oils as safe in foods, which means that they can The FDA has also sent warning letters to companies producing products containing alcohol containing caffeine like Loko Oven in 2010 after the agency found that the addition of caffeine to these products did not meet the requirements to be considered safe.These produ they are removed from the market.

"FDA regulations authorizing the use of food additives and colorants may specify the types of foods in which it may be used, the maximum amounts to be used, and how it should be When warranted, the FDA monitors US consumption of new additives and the results of any new safety research to ensure that the use of an additive remains within safe bounds, "said McSeveney in the release.

ABC News Dr. Stephanie Lee contributed to this report.