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Food additives up hyperactivity

A British study has found that additives in drinks, sweets and cakes can contribute to hyperactivity in children.

The study of 300 random children by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) published Thursday found that they behaved impulsively and lost concentration after a drink containing additives, used mostly for colouring and preservation.

In Brussels, the European Commission said it had asked the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) to evaluate the British study.

Waiting for further findings
Once the result of the assessment was known, the Commission would decide on whether "further measures are necessary for the additives in question."

EFSA was currently re-evaluating all authorized additives "to ensure that their safety assessment is still valid in light of the latest scientific data and technological developments."

However, the British researchers pointed out that there were many factors associated with hyperactivity including genes, being born prematurely, environment and upbringing.

Read more:
Allergic to food additives?
What are food additives?

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