Mission Statement

A bag of chips here, a fruit roll up there. What's the harm in snacking a little every day?

It all adds up. What may seem like occasional snacking to ward off hunger between meals has grown over the years and could be responsible for numerous problems for kids.

Recent studies in the journal Health Affairs show that nearly one third of all daily calories come from the snacks our kids eat. One third of their daily nutrition has a powerful impact.

Between the high levels of sugar, chemical preservatives and artificial food dye, new studies are showing many popular snacks are having detrimental effects on children's behavior. Mounting evidence points to long-term health problems as well.

Food Induced ADD

A Dangerous Rainbow

While designed to take on the hue of fruit, there is nothing natural about the food coloring used in many snacks.

Studies are now showing a link between food dyes and behavioral problems such as hyperactivity, impulsivity, learning difficulties and ADD/ADHD in many children. In addition to contributing to visual and learning disorders, artificial food dyes have also been found to cause allergic reactions, nerve damage and uncontrolled cell mutation; a precursor to cancer.

Most food dyes are derived from coal tar and can contain lead and arsenic. According to the FDA, Americans consume five times as much food dye as they did 30 years ago.

A carefully designed study published in The Lancet concluded that a variety of common food dyes, and the preservative sodium benzoate, found in many soft drinks and juices, do cause some children to become measurably more hyperactive and distractible. The study also found that the some food dyes do as much damage to children's brains as lead in gasoline, resulting in a significant reduction in IQ.