Added Colouring

[Granwen]

Just started taking some pretty emerald green antibiotic pills, the last lot were custard yellow! No. I don't usually make a habit of pill-popping! Is it really necessary to add artificial colouring? The yellow ones contained tartrazine, isn't that banned as an additive in fruit squashes?(hmm)

According to WIkipedia:

"The United Kingdom's Food Standards Agency called in April 2008 for a voluntary phase-out of tartrazine along with five other colorings, due to a reported link with hyperactivity in children."

So assuming you're not a child you'll probably be okay.

I think the colours might be there to help when people are taking a lot of pills, for example in hospital or older people, so they can easily identify the different drugs they have to take at different times of the day, or if they hav to take two of one thing and one of another, etc.

Thanks TrillianAstra, I understand what you are saying, I can see the practicalities BUT I just don't like the idea when I try to have as additive-free diet as I can!

How big are the pills? The additive won't be that big a part of your diet, and if you've been prescribed them then they'll be doing you more good than harm (why does the phrase never go that way round?).

I agree that if they can make blue smarties with only natural colours they should be able to do pills as well.

Clever again, you make me feel rather woolly-brained! I suppose they are rather small, and I suppose I do feel better...... and I do like your 'blue smartie' argument. You sound like my sensible sister!!!