Peeps, the beloved Easter candy, may not be as innocent as they seem. According to Consumer Reports, most Peeps contain a cancer-causing dye called Yellow 5. This artificial food coloring is made from petroleum and can increase hyperactivity in children and cause allergic reactions in some people. It has also been linked to tumor growth when tested on animals in high doses.
The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) still allows this dye to be used because it believes that the amount of Yellow 5 found in Peeps is too small for humans to worry about consuming it regularly; however, Consumer Reports disagrees with this assessment due to its potential long-term effects on health if consumed over time or at higher doses than what’s typically found in one serving of Peeps.
Although there are no current regulations preventing companies from using Yellow 5 when making their products, consumers should still take caution and read labels carefully before buying any food item containing artificial dyes or colors – especially during peak peep season! Consumers should opt for natural alternatives such as organic foods whenever possible instead of relying solely on processed items like popular Easter treats like Peeps which often contain potentially harmful ingredients like yellow 5.
Read more at WPRI.com