Aldi bans food colouring for healthier eating...

Aldi supermarket removes artificial colours from food in Australian first

• From:AAP 
• April 26, 2011 4:50PM

Supermarket chain Aldi has banned food colouring from all its products in a bid to help parents make better food choices. Picture: Norm Oorloff

• Aldi bans colouring from all food products
• Substituted with natural alternative or nothing
• Aim to provide easy healthy choice for parents

DISCOUNT retailer Aldi has become the first supermarket chain in Australia to banish artificial colourings from its entire range of food products.

Aldi managing director for buying Stefan Kopp said the move would ease some of the stress parents have when buying food and drinks for their children.

"While we completed the reformulation of our exclusive brands last year, we were determined to eradicate all artificial colours in the branded food products we sell as well," Mr Kopp said in a statement today.

"Parents can have complete confidence that no matter what food product they purchase at Aldi, it is free of artificial colours, providing better choice for the health of their children.

"We have worked closely with our suppliers in both our exclusive brand lines and branded items by reformulating and removing all artificial food colourings and substituting them with natural alternatives where necessary, or nothing at all."

Artificial food colours are added to foods or drinks in powder or liquid form to enhance colour and appearance.

Research from the University of Southampton in 2007 revealed evidence of increased levels of hyperactivity in young children from consuming mixtures of some artificial food colours and the preservative sodium benzoate.

Read more: http://www.news.com.au/business/business-smarts/aldi-removes-artificial-colours-from-food/story-e6frfm9r-1226045135727#ixzz1KdFCCNwN