Brian Simpson has given his support to a campaign to outlaw artificial additives and colourings in food and drink, after a comprehensive study by Southampton University found that children’s behavior patterns are affected by additives.  Mr Simpson, a former teacher, has long suspected that artificial colourings and food additives lead to hyperactivity and bad behavior amongst young children and now this study confirms that belief. “Ask any Primary School teacher in our towns and they will tell you that they believe additives in junk and other food causes behavioral problems amongst some children.  This view is also supported by the Hyper-active children’s support group and yet the food and drink industry are still allowed to add all kinds of chemicals into our food” said the Labour MEP. Mr Simpson, in response to this study, has now asked the European Commission in Brussels to act by banning artificial colouring and additives in our food. “ I appreciate our mushy peas may be a little less green and our baked beans not quite red, but the issue here is one of health and of providing good, nutritious food for our children.  It isn’t good enough for Government just to warn parents of the danger of additives; it needs to ensure that these chemicals are taken out of circulation, not just in Britain, but throughout the European Union, That’s why I have called on the Commission in light of this comprehensive study, to act and ban all artificial colourings and unnecessary additives in our food”