Allergy to Food Dyes

Filed in archive Food Allergies , Insect Allergies on April 12, 2008

© bgautrea

In some cases, when you exhibit allergic reaction to certain foods, it may be that it's not a reaction to the food per se, but to certain additives such as preservatives and food dyes present in the food item. It has already been established that cochineal extract or carmine dye, commonly used in fruit drinks, candy, yogurt and other foods can cause life-threatening allergic reactions.

The extract is used to dye food, drinks, cosmetics and fibers various shades of red, orange, pink and purple.

Through a bit of medical detective work, U-M allergist James L. Baldwin, M.D., confirmed that cochineal extract triggered life-threatening anaphylactic shock in a patient after she ate a popsicle containing the colorant.

This dye is an extract obtained from pulverized female cochineal insects. And since it is considered a "natural" additive, it is usually not listed on food labels, unlike other synthetic food dyes. Scary.