Children advised to avoid E numbers

Parents are being advised to avoid giving children sweets, drinks and processed food containing artificial colours and flavours until the results of a study into their effects on children's behaviour are published.

According to the British food industry's magazine, The Grocer, research, carried out on behalf of the Food Standards Agency by the University of Southampton, is set to confirm the link between various E numbers - codes for food additives - and behavioural problems such as temper tantrums, poor concentration, and increased risk of breathing problems and skin complaints.

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