Gordon Brown called on food watchdogs and manufacturers yesterday to do more to protect children from additives that can cause hyperactivity.

The Prime Minister is preparing to push for action by the European Union to require food-makers to remove additives such as sunshine yellow and tartrazine, The Times has been told. Speaking at a citizens’ jury on education in Bristol Mr Brown, a father of two, said that all parents would be worried by the findings of research for the Food Standards Agency.

But he said that parents would say there was no time to check every item in the supermarket and would rely on the authorities to ensure there were no additives in food that put their children at risk. The Prime Minister said there should be the widest range of foods available to children, “but again we need a debate about what the right standards are for the future”.

Supermarkets insisted last night that they were endeavouring to remove all additives from their food ranges and said pressure was being brought to bear on their suppliers.

Their comments follow the FSA’s warning to parents of a clear link between certain additives and hyperactive behaviour in children.

Asda last night gave a “no nasties” guarantee that by the end of this year none of its 9,000 own label food and soft drink products would contain artificial colours or flavours.

It said it would removal artificial colours such as E104 (quinoline) and replace them with natural colours, and fruit and vegetable extracts. A spokesman said: “We are always talking to our suppliers about having the best quality food. We are leading the way by removing these additives from our own brands and that gives a clear incentive to others.”

He said “nasties” had already been stripped from its More for Kids range and its health eating range.

The FSA warning came after it published results of research it commissioned into the effect of additives. It tested seven: E102 (tartrazine), E104 (quinoline yellow), E110 (sunset yellow), E122 (carmoisine), E124 (ponceau 4R), E129 (allura red) and E211 (sodium benzoate) and found they adversely affected children’s behaviour.

The food watchdog warned parents of children who suffer from hyperactivity, which is believed to affect up to 5 per cent of all under18s, to cut out some E numbers and additives.

Professor Jim Stevenson, of the University of Southampton which carried out the research, said: “We now have clear evidence that mixtures of certain food colours and benzoate preservative can adversely influence the behaviour of children.”

Tesco said that it was already operating an additive “hit list” and was working hard to completely remove them from its products and those sourced from suppliers. A spokeswoman said : “Tesco already operates an additive hit list which is line with the list from the Hyper Active Children’s Support Group.”

Waitrose said few of its own brand products contained the additivies tested by the FSA. A spokeswoman said: “The vast majority of the artificial colourings mentioned in the FSA report are now only used in celebration cakes.” She said plans were in hand to “reformulate” the ingredients used in the cakes.

Some products which contain the additives

Trident Splash Gum E104 (quinoline yellow)
Disney’s Winnie the Pooh and Friends Cup Cake Kit E102 (tartrazine) and E129 (allura red)
Jelly Diamonds E104, (quinoline) E122 (carmoisine) E129 (allura red)
TicTacs E104, (quinoline) E110 (sunset yellow)
Jelly Belly gourmet jelly bean E102 (tartrazine) E110 (sunset yellow) E129 (allura red)
John West’s Red Plums E124 (ponceau 4R)
Oasis Citrus Punch E211 (sodium benzoate)
Diet Coke, Fanta, Dr Pepper, Sprite E211 (sodium benzoate)
Chorizo sausage E124 (ponceau 4R)

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