FOOD COLORING ALLERGY

WHAT IS A FOOD COLORING ALLERGY?

Have you experienced flushing or hives after eating certain foods? Then you may be allergic to food coloring. The major food dyes responsible for food coloring allergies are carmine (red #4), tartrazine (FD&C yellow #5), and annatto.

Carmine gives food products their red color. It’s the most widely used food coloring agent. It is the main dye found in red meat. Those who suffer from a beef allergy could be allergic to carmine. It’s found in burgers, drinks, candy, and some fruit yogurts. Although carmine is considered a natural food coloring agent, the FDA requires it to be labeled on packaging.

Tartrazine is a synthetic food coloring used to imitate the color yellow. It is the second most widely used food coloring agent. It’s found in cosmetics, personal care products, and many foods. Tartrazine causes the most allergic reactions of all the food colorings; the most common symptom is hives (urticaria). The food coloring agent is also known to cause asthma symptoms.

Annatto food coloring comes from the annatto seed. It gives food products their yellow or orange color. People with peanut allergies have reported having reactions to annatto, so there may be some cross-reactivity involved. Annatto is often found in Mexican and Latin American food. Reactions to this food coloring are usually mild.

FOOD COLORING ALLERGY SYMPTOMS

Difficulty breathing
Facial swelling
Flushing
Hives (urticaria)/itchy skin
Severe headache
Tightness in chest

Most symptoms of a food coloring allergy are mild, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take the necessary steps to treat them. Asthma symptoms can become severe after constant exposure to food coloring in allergic patients. These symptoms need to be treated immediately by a board-certified allergist.

FOOD COLORING ALLERGY DIAGNOSIS

It is difficult to diagnose a food coloring allergy without a provocation or elimination test. Provocation allergy testing, also known as a food challenge, is done in a clinical setting. Dr. T will expose you to the suspected allergen to see if it evokes an allergic reaction. Food challenges can be dangerous, so Dr. T will have emergency medical equipment on hand to treat any symptoms.

In contrast, elimination allergy testing is removing certain foods from your diet to see if allergy symptoms subside. This test usually goes on for several weeks. During this time, it’s helpful to keep a food journal to keep track of everything you eat and drink. This will help diagnose your allergy.

FOOD COLORING ALLERGY TREATMENT

While the best course of action is to visit an allergist, you should also avoid certain foods if you believe you have a food coloring allergy. We understand that navigating through any food allergy is difficult; so, we have provided a list of foods that contain major food coloring responsible for allergies along with a list of foods that are free from food coloring.

FOODS THAT MAY CONTAIN FOOD COLORING

Cake Mixes
Canned Fruit
Cereals
Condiments
Crackers/ Chips
Frozen Meat and Fish
Hard Candy
Ice Cream
Instant Pudding
Jam/Jelly
Pastries
Processed Cheese
Soft and Fruit Drinks
Some wines and liqueurs
Yogurt

FOODS THAT USUALLY DO NOT CONTAIN FOOD COLORING

Grains
Local Fresh Fish
Oats
Organic Cheese and other Dairy products
Organic Fruits
Organic Vegetables
Quinoa
Rice
Wheat

FOOD ALLERGY FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Can I Be Allergic to Food Coloring?

If you experience hives, flushing, or asthma after eating certain foods, you could be allergic to food coloring. Also, if you’re allergic to peanuts, you may be more at risk of developing a food coloring allergy.

If I’m Allergic to One Food Coloring Agent, Will I Be Allergic to All of Them?

Being allergic to one food coloring agent does not guarantee an allergy to all of them. Most individuals are only sensitive to one type. Visit Dr. Tamayev to determine which food colorings you might be allergic to.

Which Food Coloring Agent Causes the Most Allergic Reactions?

Tartrazine, the yellow food dye, causes the most allergic reactions. It causes contact dermatitis, asthma symptoms, and flushing in the face.

Is Food Coloring Allergy Curable?

No, food coloring allergy is not curable. The condition can be managed by eating an organic diet and taking antihistamines. Talk to Dr. Tamayev to see what foods are for you to eat.

Why Are People Allergic to Food Coloring?

There’s not a specific cause of food coloring allergy. Certain individuals just show a sensitivity to products containing certain food coloring. The allergy is rare but more sensitivities are being reported.

How is Food Coloring Allergy Treated?

Antihistamines can treat some of your symptoms. However, the best way to prevent an allergic reaction is to avoid foods that contain food coloring.

How is Food Coloring Allergy Diagnosed?

In most cases, you will need a food challenge to confirm the diagnosis. This should only be done in a clinical setting with trained medical personnel. You can also try eliminating certain foods from your diet to see if symptoms subside.

SUMMARY

If you have a food coloring allergy, it is important to read all the labels of the products you are consuming. Dr. Tamayev can help you determine which food coloring agents to steer clear of. Dr. T has easy access to the latest technology to diagnose and relieve your headaches, itchy skin, and other symptoms related to food coloring allergy. Book an appointment today by using the button below!