Whitney and Brandon Cawood discuss the impact of synthetic dyes on children’s behavior/health, and promote an upcoming documentary on the topic.Key Takeaways – Synthetic dyes can significantly affect children’s behavior, causing issues like hyperactivity and impulsivity – The documentary “To Dye For” explores the impact of synthetic dyes and will be released on January 14th, 2024 – Eliminating synthetic dyes from a child’s diet can lead to dramatic improvements in behavior and overall well-being – Advocacy and education are crucial for raising awareness and pushing for regulation of synthetic dyes in food productsTopicsPersonal Experience with Synthetic Dyes – Brandon and Whitney Cawood’s son exhibited behavioral issues between ages 1-3 – Eliminating synthetic dyes from his diet resulted in a dramatic improvement within 48 hours – Their son went from daily behavioral problems to thriving in school without incidentsUnderstanding Synthetic Dyes – Synthetic dyes are petroleum-based chemicals used for coloring food – Common dyes include Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1, Blue 2, and Green 3 – These dyes serve no nutritional purpose and are used solely for cosmetic reasons – Studies have linked synthetic dyes to hyperactivity, attentiveness issues, and other behavioral problems in childrenRegulatory Differences and Advocacy – The EU requires warning labels on products containing certain synthetic dyes – California banned Red 3 in 2023 and prohibited synthetic dyes in public schools – 10 other states are considering similar bans on Red 3 – Advocacy efforts include writing to state representatives and school boards to push for regulationDocumentary Production Process – The Cawoods self-funded and crowdfunded their documentary “To Dye For” – Total budget ranged from $80,000 to $110,000, including personal savings and fundraising – Production involved interviewing leading experts in the field of synthetic dye research – The 83-minute feature film is set for release on January 14th, 2024Practical Steps for Families – Read ingredient labels and look for color names followed by numbers (e.g., Red 40) – Consider a 30-day elimination diet to observe potential behavioral changes – Find dye-free alternatives at stores like Aldi, Trader Joe’s, and even generic brands at major retailers – Join online communities for support and product recommendationsNext Steps – Pre-order the documentary “To Dye For” on platforms like Amazon, Apple TV, or Google Play – Join the Facebook group “Dye-Free Family Swaps, Resources, and Recipes” for ongoing support – Visit todieforthedocumentary.com for resources, templates, and updates on legislation – Consider writing to state representatives and school boards to advocate for dye-free options in schools and increased regulation