CONTENT WARNING: This story contains content of a medical nature. It is not intended as medical advice.
I am an elementary school teacher working with kids aged four to six. My husband graduated as a chemical scientist but never worked in the field. He never lost his inquisitive nature. One day, I come home with food dyes. My husband reads the package and goes all “oh” and “hmm” with every E-number and the likes.
Husband: “Wait, they added [ingredient]? How can this be purple, then?”
Me: “I don’t know. The package says it is.”
Husband: “Let’s see how purple this gets.”
The package says one drop is enough for a deep purple, so people should add one drop at a time. My husband adds one drop to a glass of water and, indeed, it is very deep purple.
Me: “Well, that’s purple, all right.”
Husband: “Yes, I never thought that. I wonder what it tastes like?”
Me: “I don’t think they added flavour.”
Husband: “You know what? I’m going to taste it.”
Me: “Wait, that’s a lot of pure food dye. Are you sure? I mean, they say kids get really hyper from this sort of stuff.”
Husband: “Look, there are several studies that say there is no connection between food dye and hyperactivity of children. That’s an old wives’ tale. Besides, I’m thirty-three; I’m a lot bigger than a kid.”
My husband tastes the drink and it tastes like… water. So, he empties the glass and goes about his business. About half an hour later, he complains that he can’t focus and he’s talking very fast. He describes it as having an urge to run around and even scream. He flops on the couch, turns on the TV, zaps through the channels, turns it off again, and goes around the house, agitated.
Me: “Eh, are you all right?”
Husband: “Argh! What are those horses doing in my mind?!”
Me: “I’m sorry to say this, sweetie, but you’re acting like a hyperactive four-year-old. Are you sure you are okay?”
My husband becomes silent and leaves. About ten minutes later, he crashes back onto the couch, completely exhausted, and his mind has finally calmed down.
Husband: “Forget what those studies say. Our future child will never have chemical food colourings!”
