To be disgusted with Elf on the Shelf.

[ElfShelfIssues]

NC.
DS has ADHD. It is a daily, gruelling challenge to avoid him going hyperactive and to bring him down when he does. We're not sure on DD yet.
SIL bought the kids these "decorate your own elf" from the Elf on the Shelf brand. They contain 2 x tubes of "icing" (coloured gel) and a small packet of sprinkles, as well as a milk chocolate elf. DH gave these to the kids. They were so badly made that when you squeezed, the backs of the "icing" tubes burst on two of the colours, covering DH and DS with green and red gloop, respectively.

I had a moment which I told myself was paranoia, but decided to check the ingredients on the box to put my mind at ease, which is when I saw that they've used those shit food colours that can cause hyperactivity, but the kids had eaten it by the time I found this out.

I'm not mad at SIL because she wasn't to know, but we should be able to trust the food we feed our children and I am disgusted that a brand marketing their products specifically at children would use these E102 and E129 when the issues with them are so well-known that the packaging has to carry a warning! There are so many other red and green food colourings that are safe for children.

AIBU to be disgusted with Elf on the Shelf for making this rubbish and targeting children with it?

I wish these bloody food colours would be banned, there's no need for them, TBH.

Buckling up for an afternoon of pure hell now. Thanks Elf on the Shelf.

Also here's the NHS list of food colours linked to hyperactivity, for anyone who wants to know all of them, BTW: www.nhs.uk/conditions/food-colours-and-hyperactivity/

There is no conclusive evidence that food colouring causes hyperactivity though.

So until there is, food manufacturers will just rely on parents to check before giving these things, if the parents believe there is a link.

Annatto, which is in some custard, pizza bases, candy canes and ice cream cones also carries a ‘this my have adverse effects on behaviour in some children’ warnings on some products.
All food stuffs that seem to be loved by many children. It’s a minefield!

I doubt that the tiny amounts on one occasion could cause or aggravate hyperactivity.

It does if you have an ADHD DC!

As with all intolerance, its personal responsibility. As long as the ingredients are clear.

My SIL bought the same thing for my son but we haven’t actually used it… I read the pack first. It isn’t ideal but always worth checking with these things I think.

Yes, IT IS SHIT that any food stuff is allowed to be sold containing these known dodgy ingredients.

Sadly, it will take many more years and more adults and kids affected by the crap in their foods, when ordinary folk begin to realise the harm that allowing these massive food manufacturers free rein to poison us actually leads to.

Until then it's a case of 'doesn't affect me so I don't care' mentality. ☹️

Unfortunately it’s on you and your DH to check these things in advance in the sane way you would if intolerant to gluten or dairy etc.

So you have a child sensitive to particular colourings and didn’t check the ingredients before giving them a product which fairly obviously has colouring in it?

As an allergy parent I think that’s on you. Nuts could do a lot worse than make my child hyperactive, so I check the ingredients label of every food that could conceivably contain nuts - you need to be doing the same for ingredients your child needs to avoid.

I can't see this better!

it's not about 'it doesn't affect me"

It's about taking responsibility for yourself and your kids, instead of wanting a nanny state banning everything you disagree with. My own list would be very long, but I bet you wouldn't agree with all of it, so who wins?

If your son has ADHD and you as a family feel that these colourings contribute to hyperactivity, why did your husband give them to your son?

He’s the one you should be upset with.

Ds reacted awfully to certain foods that contained colourings so we avoided the foods because it is my responsibility as a parent and I didn’t want him to be off his face

You clearly have NO idea, even tiny amounts can have an awful effect on certain kids.

It’s screaming out from your post OP that you are frustrated with yourself not the elf on the shelf company the government or SIL. Obviously you could’ve taken the presents away.

Lots of people have an adverse reaction to specific ingredients or avoid them for other reasons; Allergies, intolerances, religious or moral preferences are all reasons people may not be able to have certain ingredients. In all cases it’s up to the individuals, or their parents in the case of children, to check. If you know your child reacts badly to specific ingredients you need to take responsibility and check the packaging before giving the foods to him. You didn’t check, you should be disgusted with yourself!

I thought E102/tartrazine WAS banned in this country. I remember the effect that had on me as a kid and I'm not ADHD. Horrendous.

No it’s not but any food containing this or e129- or any additive associated with hyperactivity in children- has to be labelled as such.

so if elf in the shelf wasn’t, OP should report To trading standards

Elf of a shelf is a gimmick, company will use the cheapest ingredients for max profit.

' disgusted ' don't you mean annoyed or angry
or even disappointed that the company have added these ingredients

isn't disgusted when you stand in dog poo that hasn't been picked up

I think it proves a point that even so called ‘branded’ stuff can have cheap ingredients in them and so you shouldn’t think it’s elf on the shelf so it won’t do. As someone else on the thread said if it was a life threatening allergy you would have to check every single ingredient on everything. So if you feel that your child is going to be sensitive to things like food colourings then it’s on you to check it from now on.

Is it an American brand?

You are being over the top. If your child reacted to dairy would you expect it to be banned from every food?

I mean what did you think was in coloured icing 🤷🏻‍♀️