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Notes: To determine if a causal connection exists between food additives and various medical complaints. Medline over the period January 1966-January 1999 was searched for articles on substances not containing protein and lactose, which includes azo-dyes (cochineal red). Of those studies purporting to demonstrate an effect, only double-blind randomized placebo-controlled studies with oral challenge were assessed further, unless the complaint was anaphylaxis. For azo-dyes, benzoates, MSG, sorbates and BHA/BHT, no link with medical symptoms was demonstrable.