Artificial dyes, G6PD deficiency, and national and international Public Health: an integrative review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33448/rsd-v14i11.50041Keywords:
Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency, Food Coloring Agents, Public Health.Abstract
The widespread use of artificial dyes in the food industry exposes the population to agents with the potential to induce oxidative stress, representing a particular risk for individuals with G6PD deficiency. Objective: To map the relationship between artificial dyes and oxidative stress in individuals with G6PD deficiency, in order to substantiate the need for reform in neonatal screening policies and food additive regulations. Methodology: A systematic review was conducted across the SciELO, LILACS, MEDLINE/PubMed, and Scopus databases. Inclusion criteria were: original articles and public policy documents addressing the relationship between dyes and oxidative stress, the pathophysiology of G6PD deficiency, or neonatal screening policies in Brazil and the USA, in Portuguese or English. Studies not available in full text and duplicates were excluded. Results: The findings indicate that artificial dyes induce oxidative stress in experimental models and that analogous oxidative triggers cause severe hemolysis in individuals with G6PD, while the documentary analysis revealed a systemic failure in health policies, which allow risk exposure while denying early diagnosis through universal neonatal screening. Conclusion: The convergence of scientific evidence and regulatory and public health gaps demonstrates that the reassessment of food additive regulations and the implementation of universal screening for G6PD are imperative for the protection of child health.
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