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Tartrazine exclusion for allergic asthma
1Department of Public Health, Liverpool Health Authority, Hamilton House, Pall Mall, Liverpool, UK, L3 6AL. kate.ardern@liverpool-ha.nhs.uk
The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
|November 1, 2001
Summary
Tartrazine, a common food additive, does not significantly impact asthma control. Routine exclusion of tartrazine is unlikely to benefit most patients, except for those with confirmed sensitivity.
Area of Science:
- Food Science and Technology
- Clinical Medicine
- Respiratory Medicine
Background:
- Tartrazine is a widely used synthetic yellow food dye found in foods and medications.
- Conflicting evidence exists regarding tartrazine's role in exacerbating asthma, particularly in aspirin-sensitive individuals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the overall impact of tartrazine (through dietary exclusion or challenge) on asthma management.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) identified through the Cochrane Airways Group register.
- Inclusion criteria focused on oral tartrazine challenges or dietary avoidance in adults and children with asthma, including those with allergic asthma.
Main Results:
- Only three of the six eligible RCTs provided analyzable data; no meta-analysis was possible.
- Neither tartrazine challenge nor dietary avoidance demonstrated a significant effect on asthma outcomes in the reviewed studies.
Conclusions:
- Limited evidence prevents definitive conclusions on tartrazine's effect on asthma control.
- Routine tartrazine exclusion is generally not recommended for asthma patients, barring those with documented hypersensitivity.