In addition, the allowable levels of many pesticides, veterinary drugs, and food additives are probably too high, because they were established well before research determined the potential risks of these substances. It must also be recognized that the FDA conforms with the economic interests of the additive industry and other industries, which pose a health threat to our country. Health factors AND economic gain are both taken into consideration prior to the marketing of a new chemical additive, etc. We must be cautious about the foods we choose for our birds. Those that contain chemical dyes, as well as other food additives, such as refined sugar, artificial flavors, synthetic preservatives, pesticides, and the combination of all the above in one product may have an even greater negative effect on our birds.
Many health organizations discourage the use of artificial coloring and encourage their avoidance.
It seems worthy of consideration that the nutrient content of a commercial bird feed is essentially synthetic. During food processing, products undergo changes in acidity, temperature, light exposure, and physical manipulation that result in the loss of micronutrients that were there to begin with. In other words, the processing procedure denatured any natural vitamin and mineral that may have existed in the original food. Although in some cases, these nutrients are not there to begin with due to poor soil conditions the foods were grown in. However, this may change when the FDA rules go into effect to list specifics.