Vomiting after red food dye?

[Anonymous]

Has anyone's LO vomited after eating food with a lot of red dye? We had our DS's 3 yr old family birthday party yesterday and his cake (from a local bakery, not grocery store) had quite a bit lot of red icing. He did eat a lot of frosting (at least the amount on one slice, maybe two) and proceeded to wake up 3 times last night vomiting up food. We don't often eat foods with artificial coloring, so that's what made me stop and think about the connection. He seems perfectly fine today, no fever, tummy ache, nothing. I don't think it was food poisoning otherwise, because we all had the same meals yesterday and everyone else is fine. I guess it could be a virus?

Any experience? TIA!

[Anonymous]

There are definitely allergies to red dyes. My friend growing up couldn't eat red jello because she was allergic to it, and I was just talking to someone else who has the same issue.

[Anonymous]

Thanks, PP. I thought it also could have been the sheer amount of buttercream frosting he ate, but he's had cupcakes/cake (not red) in the past and never had this reaction.

[Anonymous]

Red and other dyes can cause physical or behavioral issues. We try to avoid them.

[Anonymous]

Or it could have been the fact that he ate a lot of icing, period. The ingredients aren't exactly conducive to smooth digestion, especially if the icing was made with lard/Crisco. Coming from a local bakery doesn't preclude gross ingredients unless you specifically ask.

[Anonymous]

OP here: He just pooped and his entire BM was reddish tinted from the food dye. It seems like they used an absurd amount!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Or it could have been the fact that he ate a lot of icing, period. The ingredients aren't exactly conducive to smooth digestion, especially if the icing was made with lard/Crisco. Coming from a local bakery doesn't preclude gross ingredients unless you specifically ask.

OP here: Good point.

[Anonymous]

I'm allergic to red dye #40. I have terrible diarrhea if I eat anything with the dye in it. I used to not care, but as I get older, I've decided it's just not worth it. Your child might have an allergy, or it could be coincidence.

[Anonymous]

Could be the icing or the dye. The dye gives both of my kids the runs, and they don't sleep well after stuff like that. But they've never vomited.

[Anonymous]

Bottom line you won't know unless you want to feed your child a large amount of frosting sans red food dye and see what happens.

[Anonymous]

I have the issue with red dye but only when pregnant. Very strange...just can't digest it at all.




Dani RB

[Anonymous]

I had a coworker who was allergic to red food coloring. She said it's probably for the best since most artificial-red-colored food is bad for you.

[Anonymous]

My ds may have this issue. We're not sure if it's the flavoring or the dye. We avoid anything "berry flavored" now after a couple of vomiting incidents.

[Anonymous]

I know someone who is allergic to red food coloring. It gives her nightmares that night if she has any that day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know someone who is allergic to red food coloring. It gives her nightmares that night if she has any that day.

PP here. After reading a lot about this type of stuff, we decided to raise our kids without artificial coloring. It's just not good for you.