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The sweets to never give your kids – it can make them aggressive & don’t leave the body for 2 DAYS, nutritionist reveals
The sweets contain a staggering nine different kinds of food colourings, including the controversial red dye
A NUTRITIONIST has issued an urgent warning for parents who give their kids M&Ms as a treat.
Karin explained that despite being attractive to children - due to their bright colours and clever marketing - the sugar-covered chocolate bites are among the worst things you can let your kids eat.
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That's because they contain a staggering nine different kinds of food colouring.
In a video on her Instagram page, she explained: "Stay away from this snack that you give to your kids.
"It can cause hyperactivity, allergies, aggressiveness, learning impairment.
"And it doesn't leave your body, even in a small amount, for between 24 to 48 hours.
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"I don't know if you've guessed, but it's M&Ms. With 9 different kinds of food colouring - red, blue, yellow.
"Half of them are not even legal in so many countries in the world, justifiably."
She urged parents to "choose better" and "do better" for their kids, adding "they deserve it".
In the Instagram video, she flashed up a screenshot about artificial red food colouring, and the effect it can have on the human body.
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Experts believe it's linked to allergies, migraines and mental disorders in children.
Red dye 40 is among the most controversial artificial food dyes, and -- along with Yellow 5 and Yellow 6 - is one of the most commonly used dyes in foods.
However, steps are being taken to reduce their usage.
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In the UK, plant-based dyes are used in the making of the orange Fanta drink - namely pumpkin and carrot extracts.
While the US version of Fanta still uses Red 40 and Yellow 6 to colour their drink.
In addition, in Europe, the majority of foods that contain artificial food dyes are required to have a warning on them - suggesting they may cause hyperactivity in children.
It's also worth pointing out that Red 40 is also referred to as E129, with E numbers - present in the M&Ms ingredients list in the UK - are also thought to be linked to kids' hyperactivity.
"I don’t know how this snack is still legal in the US. But I am also not surprised," Karin captioned her video.
"Kids are drawn to colours and the marketing is adorable.
"But is that really enough of a reason as to why our kid should be consuming something that will only harm their health?
"I think not."
Choose better for your kids, they deserve it
Nutritionist Karin Adoni
People were quick to comment on the video, with one writing: "The FDA should do something about instead of all the BS they do."
"This is not a snack, this is candy and should be treated as such, meaning you don't give it to kids every day, not even every week," another argued.
"It's a holiday kinda treat."
"I try and buy alternatives in the house as I think food colouring is worse than sugar for kids!" a third commented.
"The problem is when we’re out and they want what their friends are having."
As someone else wrote: "It is so important to teach our kids about artificial food and real food.
"Rainbows and colourful looking foods are all fake food. Real food grows in trees and land.
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"Awareness is the key."
A Mars Wrigley UK spokesperson told us: "We always follow local regulatory rules, and all of our treats and snacks are made to the very highest quality and adhere to the strictest safety standards".
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