Child medicines contain "cocktail of additives"

LONDON, Mar 10 (Reuters) Additives banned from food for children under three can be found in a range of medicines for babies and toddlers, a study said today.

The Food Commission surveyed 41 medicines aimed at under-threes and found only one, Superdrug's Children's Dry Cough Syrup, that did not contain colourings or preservatives.

Two medicines, Morrisons Junior Paracetemol and Superdrug Junior Paracetemol Suspension, contained four different sweeteners.

The study, published in the Commission's Food Magazine, said some of the medicines warned the additives could cause side effects such as irritation of skin and eyes, stomach upset and diarrhoea.

No colours or sweeteners are allowed in foods and drinks for children under three, and most preservatives are banned, the magazine said.

But it said the children's medicines surveyed contained a ''cocktail of additives''.

Four contained sythetic azo dyes, although only one of the medicines warned that the colouring could cause ''allergic reactions, including asthma''.

''Whilst many children will be able to consume these products safely, there will be those who will suffer allergic reactions to these additives,'' said Food Magazine spokesman Ian Tokelove.

''We believe that colourings and artificial sweeteners can be replaced with natural alternatives and the use of preservatives should be rigorously questioned,'' he added.

The medicines regulator said it was not always possible to use natural flavourings or colours as they could react with the drug or formula, and sugar was discouraged as it could cause tooth decay.

''Unnecessary additives are discouraged and the manufacturer may be required to re-formulate the medicine before it can be approved,'' said the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency.

Drugs makers defended the use of colouring and flavouring, which they said disguised the unpleasant taste of the active elements of the medicine and helped parents to get children take their medication.

''Unlike foods, additives in medicines are in very small quantities and are only taken for a short period of time,'' said Helen Darracott of the Proprietary Association of Great Britain, a trade body for makers of over-the-counter medicines.

Drug maker Pfizer said the ingredients in childrens' medicines were clearly labelled on the packaging, allowing parents to make an ''informed choice about the medicine they administer to their child.'' REUTERS AD BD0914