Phase out synthetic food dyes
Petitioners ask the House of Commons to phase out synthetic food dyes for vulnerable groups, require warnings, remove them from prenatal and children’s medicines. The government responds that evidence is insufficient and it will monitor.
Why we would sign this petition
- Reduces exposure for children, pregnant people and those with neurodevelopmental conditions, addressing risks the petitioners link to behavioural, attention and learning harms.
- Applies the precautionary principle and prompts independent neurodevelopmental research and interim protective measures while safety for sensitive groups is established.
- Mandating warnings and removing dyes from prenatal and children’s medicines would increase consumer information and reduce potential sources of exposure.
Why we wouldn’t sign this petition
- The petition’s causal claims are contested; the government has concluded current evidence is insufficient to justify a phase-out or mandatory warnings.
- Dyes can serve legitimate roles in medicines (identification, dosing, acceptability), so removal could complicate medication use or adherence without clear alternatives.
- Comprehensive regulatory bans or reformulations may be costly or technically difficult; targeted research or risk-based limits might be more practical first steps.
The summary and both sets of reasons are AI-generated from the petition and given equal weight. Claims are the petitioners’ own; consult the official record for the full text.
Official petition
Petition to the House of Commons Synthetic food dye has been linked to mental health issues in children, including aggression, memory and learning issues, and severe emotional dysregulation; These adverse effects are estimated to affect 8% of children with ADHD, yet synthetic dyes remain prevalent in food and medicine; The Government of Canada has committed to ensuring that food additives do not pose a hazard to consumer health; Vulnerable populations—particularly children, individuals with neurodevelopmental conditions, and pregnant persons—are disproportionately at risk; Alarmingly, these additives persist in foods marketed to children and even prenatal vitamins, despite animal studies demonstrating genotoxicity, oxidative stress, and impaired neurodevelopment; Canada’s inaction contravenes the precautionary principle, a cornerstone of public health policy requiring preventative measures when credible risks exist, even amid scientific uncertainty; and Current regulatory gaps perpetuate a preventable public health crisis, failing those most vulnerable. We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to: 1. Reform regulations permitting synthetic food dyes (e.g., Red 40, Yellow 5/6, Red 3), which peer-reviewed studies link to neurological harm in children, including hyperactivity, attention deficits, and behavioral disruptions at levels far below the ADI; 2. Immediately reassess synthetic dyes under the Food and Drugs Act, prioritizing independent neurodevelopmental research and applying the precautionary principle to phase out suspect additives until proven safe for sensitive groups; 3. Enforce mandatory warnings for products containing these dyes and prioritize their removal from prenatal/children’s medicine, dental products, and vitamins; and 4. Collaborate with pediatric and neurodevelopmental experts to ensure regulations are science-based and prioritize mental health protection over industry convenience.
Government response
Response by the Minister of Health Signed by Maggie Chi Health Canada has reviewed information on reported linkages between certain synthetic colours and neurobehavioural effects in children. To date, the weight of scientific evidence has not demonstrated a causal effect or been sufficient to warrant action such as phasing out these food colours or requiring that they be accompanied by a warning statement. Before authorizing a drug for sale in Canada, Health Canada verifies that it meets the safety, efficacy and quality requirements of the Food and Drugs Act and its Regulations, by reviewing a drug submission that is filed by a drug manufacturer seeking approval of their drug product. The safety of non-medicinal ingredients, and the benefits and risks of dye inclusion, is considered before a drug is approved for the Canadian market. In drugs, non-medicinal ingredients, such as dyes, serve important functions to enable the accurate identification of a drug, its strength, or its specific formulation, which are important factors to help prevent dangerous medication errors and support the correct administration of medications. Coloured dyes may also be included to enhance acceptability of medications and compliance, since palatability includes not just taste and smell but also sight to match the medicine's flavour or to conceal unappealing colours. The drug market authorisation holder (usually the drug company) is responsible for monitoring the continued safe use of their drug products and communicating new information on the safety of a health product in an effective and timely manner. The Guide to authorities under the Protecting Canadians from Unsafe Drugs Act (Vanessa’s Law): Overview provides information about the various powers Health Canada has under Vanessa’s law in order to manage risks of injury to health. In Canada, the law requires that health products and food disclose information about ingredients such as dyes. For prescription drugs, non-medicinal ingredients must be disclosed on labels, the product monograph or package insert. In the case of non-prescription drugs and natural health products, including prenatal vitamins, a qualitative list of all non-medicinal ingredients must be disclosed on the label or other permitted locations such as leaflets, inserts or web pages. Synthetic food colours and other food additives must be declared in the list of ingredients on prepackaged foods. This information can be used by consumers to make purchasing decisions about health products and foods. Additionally, since 2015, drug package labels must include the contact number, website or address of the Market Authorization Holder. Consumers can use this information to contact someone if they have questions or concerns regarding their medicine. They can also direct any questions to their healthcare provider. Complaints or concerns about foods, or side effects to health products, can be reported to the Government of Canada. Health Canada will continue to monitor emerging scientific developments related to the safety of permitted synthetic colours. If new scientific data becomes available demonstrating that a synthetic colour poses a human health risk as an ingredient in food or health products, then Health Canada will take action to mitigate that risk, including, if necessary, no longer permitting the ingredient to be used in food and health products.