Food Additives and Children’s Behaviour

TL;DR: A 2007 University of Southampton study found that six artificial food colours (E102, E104, E110, E122, E124, E129), when combined with sodium benzoate (E211), were linked to increased hyperactivity in some children. Products containing these colours must now carry a warning label in the UK, and many manufacturers have voluntarily removed them. The effect does not apply to all children and is not the same as causing ADHD, but it is enough for many parents to choose to limit these specific additives.

The link between food additives and children’s behaviour is one of the most discussed topics in UK nutrition. If you are a parent who has heard that “E numbers make children hyper” and wondered how much truth is behind it, this guide explains what the research actually found, what the FSA recommends, and practical steps you can take.

The Southampton Study: What Actually Happened

In 2007, researchers at the University of Southampton published a study in The Lancet that had been funded by the Food Standards Agency. The study is the most significant piece of research on this topic and the basis for most of the guidance that followed.

What the study tested

The study looked at two age groups of children from the general population: 3-year-olds (153 children) and 8/9-year-olds (144 children). The children were given drinks containing different mixtures of artificial food colours and the preservative sodium benzoate (E211), or a placebo drink. Neither the children, parents, nor researchers knew which drink each child received (double-blind).

Two colour mixtures were tested:

Mix A: Sunset Yellow (E110), Carmoisine (E122), Tartrazine (E102), Ponceau 4R (E124), plus sodium benzoate (E211)
Mix B: Sunset Yellow (E110), Quinoline Yellow (E104), Carmoisine (E122), Allura Red (E129), plus sodium benzoate (E211)

What the study found

Both mixtures were associated with increased hyperactivity in children compared to the placebo, though the effect size varied between the two age groups and the two mixtures. The effect was statistically significant and was observed in the general population of children — not just in children already diagnosed with ADHD or behavioural problems.

Important limitations

The study had some important caveats that are often lost in media coverage:

The effect varied significantly between individual children — not all children showed increased hyperactivity.
The mixtures combined multiple colours with sodium benzoate, so it was not possible to pinpoint which specific additive (or combination) was responsible.
The effect sizes were modest. The study did not suggest that food colours cause ADHD.
The colours were tested at levels that a child might realistically consume in a day from a combination of products, but the doses were concentrated in a single drink.

What the FSA concluded

Following the study, the FSA’s Committee on Toxicity concluded that the results provided evidence for adverse effects of the two colour mixtures on some children’s behaviour. The FSA then asked UK food manufacturers to voluntarily remove the six colours from their products and advised parents who noticed an effect on their child’s behaviour to consider eliminating these colours from their diet.

The Southampton Six: Which Colours and Where to Find Them

The six artificial colours from the Southampton study are now commonly referred to as the “Southampton Six.” Here is where you are most likely to encounter them.

E Number	Name	Colour	Commonly Found In
E102	Tartrazine	Bright yellow	Soft drinks, sweets, ice cream, snack foods, some sauces
E104	Quinoline Yellow	Greenish yellow	Smoked haddock, ice cream, some sweets
E110	Sunset Yellow	Orange-yellow	Orange squash, marmalade, biscuits, sweets
E122	Carmoisine (Azorubine)	Red	Sweets, jellies, marzipan, yoghurts, cheesecake mixes
E124	Ponceau 4R	Red	Dessert toppings, tinned fruit, cake mixes, some sauces
E129	Allura Red	Red	Sweets, condiments, drinks, some cereals

Since the FSA’s voluntary removal request, many major UK manufacturers have replaced these colours with natural alternatives. However, they have not been banned, and some products — particularly cheaper sweets, imported foods, and some budget brands — still contain them.

Any product in the UK that contains one or more of the Southampton Six must carry this warning on its label: “May have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children.”

The Bigger Picture: Additives and ADHD

It is important to be clear about what the research does and does not show.

What the evidence supports

Certain artificial food colours, in combination with sodium benzoate, are associated with increased hyperactivity in some children.
This effect has been observed in the general population, not just in children with existing behavioural conditions.
The effect varies between children — some children appear more sensitive than others.
Removing these specific colours from a child’s diet may reduce hyperactive behaviour in sensitive individuals.

What the evidence does not show

Food colours do not cause ADHD. ADHD is a complex neurodevelopmental condition with genetic, neurological, and environmental factors.
Removing food colours will not “cure” ADHD or replace medical treatment.
All E numbers are not linked to behavioural problems. The concern is specifically about these six artificial colours.
Natural food colours (like beetroot red, turmeric, or paprika extract) have not shown the same association.

Earlier research

The Southampton study was not the first to explore this link. In the 1970s, Dr Ben Feingold, an American paediatrician, proposed that artificial colours and flavourings could affect children’s behaviour, leading to the “Feingold Diet” (an elimination diet excluding artificial additives). Early research on this was mixed, and the Feingold approach was broader than what the Southampton study tested. However, it helped establish the area of inquiry that later produced more rigorous evidence.

NHS guidance

The NHS advises that if you think your child’s behaviour is being affected by food, keeping a food diary can help identify potential triggers. They recommend speaking with your GP before making significant dietary changes. The NHS does not advise eliminating all additives from a child’s diet, as many are harmless.

Practical Advice for Parents

If you want to reduce your child’s exposure to the additives linked to hyperactivity, here are practical, realistic strategies.

Check labels for the warning

The quickest check is to look for the mandatory warning label: “May have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children.” If a product carries this warning, it contains one or more of the Southampton Six.

Scan products with an app

For a more thorough check, use a barcode scanner app. NutraSafe flags the Southampton Six automatically when you scan a product, and shows you every other additive in plain English. This is faster than reading every ingredient list manually, especially with wriggly children in tow.

Watch for budget and imported sweets

Most major UK confectionery brands have removed the Southampton Six, but budget sweets, pick-and-mix, imported products (particularly from countries where the same voluntary removal has not happened), and some own-brand products may still contain them. Sweets are the most common source of these colours.

Know the natural alternatives

When a product uses natural colours instead, you might see these on the label:

Beetroot red (E162) — replaces red artificial colours
Paprika extract (E160c) — provides orange-red colour
Curcumin (E100) — replaces yellow artificial colours (from turmeric)
Anthocyanins (E163) — purple-red colours from grape skins and berries
Chlorophyllin (E141) — green colour from plant chlorophyll

These natural colour alternatives have not been linked to behavioural effects.

Consider school lunches and parties

School tuck shops, birthday party bags, and holiday treats are common sources of brightly coloured sweets and drinks. You do not need to ban these entirely, but being aware that these are the moments where the Southampton Six are most likely to appear can help you make choices that work for your family.

Keep perspective

The Southampton study showed a modest effect that varied between children. Most children who eat the occasional sweet containing artificial colours will be absolutely fine. The concern is more relevant for children who consume these colours frequently and who appear to be sensitive to them. If your child’s behaviour does not seem to be affected, there is no particular reason to worry.

What Other Countries Have Done

The UK’s response to the Southampton study was to request voluntary removal and mandate warning labels. Other countries have taken different approaches.

European Union — All 27 member states require the same warning label on products containing the Southampton Six. Some EU countries have seen near-complete voluntary removal by manufacturers.
Norway — Has effectively removed most of these colours from food products, though through industry action rather than formal bans.
Australia and New Zealand — Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) reviewed the evidence and maintained that the colours are safe at permitted levels, though labelling requirements apply.
United States — The FDA has not required warning labels for these colours, though the state of California passed a law in 2023 requiring warnings on foods containing certain synthetic dyes, effective from 2028.

The differing approaches reflect that while the Southampton evidence is taken seriously globally, the interpretation of what action is proportionate varies between regulatory bodies.

Beyond Colours: Other Additives and Children

While the strongest evidence relates to the Southampton Six, parents sometimes ask about other additives in children’s food.

Sodium benzoate (E211)

This preservative was included in the Southampton colour mixtures. It is found in soft drinks, squashes, and some sauces. Its individual contribution to hyperactivity (separate from the colours) is not clearly established, but some parents choose to limit it alongside the six colours.

Artificial sweeteners

Aspartame (E951) and acesulfame K (E950) are found in sugar-free squashes, diet drinks, and some children’s medicines. The FSA considers them safe at permitted levels, and there is no specific evidence linking them to behavioural effects in children. However, the NHS advises that children under 3 should not be given food or drinks containing artificial sweeteners as a general precaution.

MSG (E621)

Found in some crisps, flavoured snacks, and stock cubes. Despite persistent myths, large-scale scientific reviews have not found a consistent link between MSG and behavioural effects in children at normal dietary levels. The FSA considers it safe.

Caffeine

While not an E-number additive, caffeine in cola drinks and energy drinks affects children more than adults due to their lower body weight. The NHS advises that children should not consume energy drinks. High caffeine intake can cause restlessness, difficulty sleeping, and irritability in children — symptoms that can overlap with what people attribute to food additives.

When to see your GP

If you are concerned about your child’s behaviour, whether or not you think food additives are involved, speak with your GP. They can assess whether a referral for further evaluation is appropriate. A food diary recording what your child eats and how they behave can be a useful tool to bring to the appointment.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do food additives cause hyperactivity in children?

A 2007 University of Southampton study funded by the FSA found that mixtures of six artificial food colours, combined with sodium benzoate, were associated with increased hyperactivity in some children. The effect varied between individual children and was relatively modest. The study did not prove that additives cause ADHD, but it did show a measurable link between certain colour mixtures and hyperactive behaviour in some children.

What are the Southampton Six food colours?

The Southampton Six are six artificial food colours identified in the 2007 study: Tartrazine (E102), Quinoline Yellow (E104), Sunset Yellow (E110), Carmoisine (E122), Ponceau 4R (E124), and Allura Red (E129). Products containing these colours must carry a warning label in the UK stating “May have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children.” Many UK manufacturers have voluntarily removed them from their products.

Are artificial food colours banned in UK children’s food?

No, they are not banned. However, the FSA asked manufacturers to voluntarily remove the Southampton Six colours from their products, and many have done so. Products that still contain them must display a warning label. Some other countries have taken stronger action — for example, the EU requires the same warning label across all member states, and some non-EU countries have banned specific colours outright.

How can I check if my child’s food contains these additives?

Check the ingredient list on the packaging for the six E numbers (E102, E104, E110, E122, E124, E129) or their names (Tartrazine, Quinoline Yellow, Sunset Yellow, Carmoisine, Ponceau 4R, Allura Red). Products containing them will also carry a warning label. For a faster check, you can use a barcode scanner app like NutraSafe, which flags these colours automatically and explains every additive in plain English.

Should I put my child on an additive-free diet?

A completely additive-free diet is impractical and unnecessary, since many additives are harmless natural substances (vitamin C is E300, citric acid is E330). A more practical approach is to focus on reducing the specific additives with the strongest evidence of concern — particularly the Southampton Six artificial colours. Cooking from scratch where possible, choosing products with shorter ingredient lists, and checking labels or using a scanner app are all sensible strategies. If you have specific concerns about your child’s behaviour, speak with your GP.