Center for Science in the Public Interest officials in Washington said Yellow 5, Red 40, Blue 1, Blue 2, Green 3, Orange B, Red 3 and Yellow 6 are linked to hyperactivity and behavior problems in children and should be prohibited from use in foods by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

A 2004 meta-analysis concluded artificial dyes affect children's behavior.

"The continued use of these unnecessary artificial dyes is the secret shame of the food industry and the regulators who watch over it," Michael F. Jacobson, Center for Science in the Public Interest executive director, said in a statement. "The purpose of these chemicals is often to mask the absence of real food, to increase the appeal of a low-nutrition product to children, or both."

The amount of food dye certified for use was 12 milligrams per capita per day in 1955, but in 2007, 59 mg per capita per day was certified for use, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said.

The food dyes are particularly prevalent in the sugary cereals, candies, sodas and snack foods pitched to children, Jacobson said.