The Hidden Dangers of Synthetic Dyes: A Conversation with Brandon and Whitney Cawood
To Dye For: The Documentary
Could something as seemingly harmless as food coloring be wreaking havoc on children’s health? How do we navigate a world filled with artificial additives and protect our families from hidden toxins? These were some of the central questions discussed in an eye-opening interview between Robert Scott Bell and parents-turned-filmmakers, Brandon and Whitney Cawood. Their new documentary, To Dye For, explores the profound effects that synthetic dyes have on children’s behavior and health, inspired by their personal experience with their own son’s dramatic response to food dyes.
A Personal Journey with Synthetic Dyes
The conversation began with Whitney recounting the behavioral challenges her son faced, including aggression, irritability, and impulsivity. After exhausting typical behavioral therapies and medical interventions, she decided to implement an elimination diet, removing synthetic dyes, wheat, and dairy. “Within 48 hours of eliminating synthetic dyes, his aggressive behavior disappeared,” Whitney shared. This pivotal moment led the Cawoods to dig deeper into the world of synthetic additives, realizing that their son’s daily allergy medications, laced with synthetic dyes, were contributing to his behavioral issues.
Brandon admitted his initial skepticism about the connection between food dyes and his son's behavior. “I thought it was crazy at first, but after seeing the results, it was undeniable,” he said. The Cawoods quickly realized that their son wasn’t alone—there were thousands of other children experiencing similar reactions to synthetic dyes. "We thought we were on this island, but as we began researching and connecting with other families, we realized this was a much bigger issue than we initially thought," Whitney explained.
The Toxicity of Synthetic Dyes
Robert emphasized how food dyes are not only present in food but also in medications and other everyday products. He shared his own experiences with allergy medications loaded with synthetic dyes, recalling the years he spent on allergy shots and medications as a child. “We are drowning in these synthetic toxins, and they’re making people sick,” Robert said.
Whitney highlighted how pervasive synthetic dyes are in children's products—from brightly colored candies to medications like Benadryl. "Our son was getting a daily dose of synthetic dyes in his allergy medicine, and it was affecting his behavior in ways we never expected," she explained. Brandon added, “We’ve heard stories from other parents whose children experienced symptoms like hyperactivity, sleeplessness, and aggression after exposure to synthetic dyes.”
The Cawoods were motivated to turn their story into a documentary to raise awareness. “We wanted to understand why synthetic dyes are still used despite the known risks,” Brandon said. Their documentary To Dye For delves into the health impacts of these additives, revealing their links to behavioral issues, neurological disorders, and even cancer.
The Science Behind the Impact
The Cawoods’ research led them to studies that confirmed their suspicions about the dangers of synthetic dyes. “The OEHHA report reviewed 27 clinical trials and found that synthetic dyes can cause hyperactivity, inattentiveness, restlessness, and aggression in children,” Whitney explained. This report provided validation for what many parents had been experiencing firsthand.
Brandon shared their collaboration with advocacy groups like the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), which has been calling for stronger regulations on synthetic dyes. "These additives are often byproducts of petroleum and are not something you’d want in your body," Brandon noted.
Robert chimed in, adding that synthetic chemicals, including dyes, can act as excitotoxins—substances that overstimulate nerve cells, leading to various neurological symptoms. “These dyes are essentially poisoning our kids, and we need to get them out of our food system,” Robert said.
Creating the Documentary To Dye For
The journey to creating To Dye For was not an easy one. The Cawoods shared how they handled all aspects of the film themselves, from shooting and editing to music composition. “We did everything—just the two of us,” Brandon explained. "This was a labor of love because we knew this information needed to get out there."
The Cawoods’ passion for this topic led them to start a Facebook group, “Dye Free Family Swaps Resources and Recipes,” which quickly grew to over 580,000 members. "It showed us that we weren’t alone in this. There are so many families affected by synthetic dyes, and they’re desperate for information and solutions,” Whitney said.
Raising Awareness and Finding Solutions
As the interview wrapped up, the Cawoods discussed the importance of raising awareness about synthetic dyes and encouraging families to eliminate them from their homes. “Once you start removing dyes, you naturally start eliminating other harmful additives as well,” Whitney said. “It’s a domino effect that leads to healthier choices.”
Robert emphasized the need for parents to be proactive in protecting their children from these hidden toxins. “We need to be vigilant about what’s going into our kids’ bodies. These synthetic chemicals are causing real harm, and it’s up to us to take action,” he said.