Asda becomes first supermarket to axe all artificial flavourings and colours in own brand foods

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

It is the first of the big supermarkets to go for such a sweeping ban on additives.

Health concerns over such products grew last week after a study for the Food Standards Agency said they may have harmful effects on child behaviour and concentration.

They have also been linked to allergic reactions such as asthma and rashes.

Asda says that under its 'no nasties' guarantee none of its 9,000 own-label food and soft drinks will contain artificial colours or flavours by the end of the year.

The ban will also extend to the sweetener aspartame, and flavour enhancers such as monosodium glutamate.

The colours tartrazine (E102), ponceau 4R (E124), sunset yellow (E110), carmoisine (E122), quinoline yellow (E104) and allura red AC (E129) are all on the hit list. Natural products will be used instead and in many cases colours will not be replaced at all.

The Co-op began the backlash against artificial additives in 2005 by announcing a ban on 12 of the most common.