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Vaccines help prevent disease and do not cause autism. The false claim that vaccines cause autism dates back to a small 1998 study of 12 children and the MMR vaccine. The study was deeply flawed and based on misrepresented data and later removed from the scientific journal that published it. Since then, over 25 high-quality research studies have shown no link between autism and vaccines. Other false claims link autism to getting multiple vaccinations at the same time or to the use of vaccine preservatives. These claims have also been studied, and scientists continue to find no evidence to support these claims.
WHAT WE KNOW
Signs of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) tend to show up around the same time as childhood vaccinations by coincidence. Early autism signs appear in toddlers at around 2-3 years old, and a diagnosis is usually not given until the age of three or later. Many childhood vaccinations are also given between the ages of 2 months and 18 months, including the MMR vaccine.
The overlap in timing is part of the reason why false claims that vaccines cause autism could lead people to believe the two are linked. However, scientific research has repeatedly shown that this overlap in timing is coincidental and not causal, and vaccinated children do not have higher autism rates than unvaccinated children.
The number of children diagnosed with autism has risen over the past decade. Diagnostic criteria have also changed, which broadened the definition to include people with lower support needs who may not have previously qualified for the diagnosis (formerly diagnosed as Aspergers Syndrome). This, along with increased awareness of ASD, is likely the main cause of this increase.
Autism spectrum disorder, as the name implies, is a spectrum. This means that there are varying degrees to which autism affects people’s day-to-day lives.
Research has shown that the cause of autism is largely genetic, which means the genes for developing autism are passed down from one generation to the next.
UNKNOWNS
While autism is largely genetic, scientists continue to research other factors which may increase the risk of autism including the age of parents at the time of conception.
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Vaccines help prevent disease and do not cause autism. The false claim that vaccines cause autism dates back to a small 1998 study of 12 children and the MMR vaccine. The study was deeply flawed and based on misrepresented data and later removed from the scientific journal that published it. Since then, over 25 high-quality research studies have shown no link between autism and vaccines. Other false claims link autism to getting multiple vaccinations at the same time or to the use of vaccine preservatives. These claims have also been studied, and scientists continue to find no evidence to support these claims.
WHAT WE KNOW
Signs of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) tend to show up around the same time as childhood vaccinations by coincidence. Early autism signs appear in toddlers at around 2-3 years old, and a diagnosis is usually not given until the age of three or later. Many childhood vaccinations are also given between the ages of 2 months and 18 months, including the MMR vaccine.
The overlap in timing is part of the reason why false claims that vaccines cause autism could lead people to believe the two are linked. However, scientific research has repeatedly shown that this overlap in timing is coincidental and not causal, and vaccinated children do not have higher autism rates than unvaccinated children.
The number of children diagnosed with autism has risen over the past decade. Diagnostic criteria have also changed, which broadened the definition to include people with lower support needs who may not have previously qualified for the diagnosis (formerly diagnosed as Aspergers Syndrome). This, along with increased awareness of ASD, is likely the main cause of this increase.
Autism spectrum disorder, as the name implies, is a spectrum. This means that there are varying degrees to which autism affects people’s day-to-day lives.
Research has shown that the cause of autism is largely genetic, which means the genes for developing autism are passed down from one generation to the next.
UNKNOWNS
While autism is largely genetic, scientists continue to research other factors which may increase the risk of autism including the age of parents at the time of conception.
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Latest info suggests this claim is true
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On May 9th, the FDA approved Galdieria extract blue, butterfly pea flower extract (blue, green, or purple) and calcium phosphate (white) for use in foods and drinks. Research shows the three additives to be safe for use as food dyes and may provide an alternative for food manufacturers looking to switch to more natural dyes. These dyes may not work as alternatives for some products, as natural dyes tend to fade more quickly or be more expensive.
WHAT WE KNOW
Galdieria extract blue comes from a species of algae, butterfly pea flower extract comes from flower petals, and calcium phosphate is a mineral that contains calcium and phosphorus.
Synthetic color additives are often made from petroleum.
Concerns about the possible health effects of synthetic or artificial food dyes have been raised. But as of May 2025 no conclusive evidence has shown that synthetic dyes are harmful to humans in the amounts present in food. Some studies have shown carcinogenic effects in rats related to some artificial dyes like Red Dye #3, and other small studies have suggested synthetic dyes may have negative health effects. The UK and Canada require a warning label on foods that contain artificial dyes.
UNKNOWNS
It is hard to tell which products natural dyes will work for, and things like shelf life, cost, and final appearance all play a factor on whether a natural dye could be used.
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On May 9th, the FDA approved Galdieria extract blue, butterfly pea flower extract (blue, green, or purple) and calcium phosphate (white) for use in foods and drinks. Research shows the three additives to be safe for use as food dyes and may provide an alternative for food manufacturers looking to switch to more natural dyes. These dyes may not work as alternatives for some products, as natural dyes tend to fade more quickly or be more expensive.
WHAT WE KNOW
Galdieria extract blue comes from a species of algae, butterfly pea flower extract comes from flower petals, and calcium phosphate is a mineral that contains calcium and phosphorus.
Synthetic color additives are often made from petroleum.
Concerns about the possible health effects of synthetic or artificial food dyes have been raised. But as of May 2025 no conclusive evidence has shown that synthetic dyes are harmful to humans in the amounts present in food. Some studies have shown carcinogenic effects in rats related to some artificial dyes like Red Dye #3, and other small studies have suggested synthetic dyes may have negative health effects. The UK and Canada require a warning label on foods that contain artificial dyes.
UNKNOWNS
It is hard to tell which products natural dyes will work for, and things like shelf life, cost, and final appearance all play a factor on whether a natural dye could be used.
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Vaccines help prevent disease and do not cause autism. The false claim that vaccines cause autism dates back to a small 1998 study of 12 children and the MMR vaccine. The study was deeply flawed and based on misrepresented data and later removed from the scientific journal that published it. Since then, over 25 high-quality research studies have shown no link between autism and vaccines. Other false claims link autism to getting multiple vaccinations at the same time or to the use of vaccine preservatives. These claims have also been studied, and scientists continue to find no evidence to support these claims.
WHAT WE KNOW
Signs of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) tend to show up around the same time as childhood vaccinations by coincidence. Early autism signs appear in toddlers at around 2-3 years old, and a diagnosis is usually not given until the age of three or later. Many childhood vaccinations are also given between the ages of 2 months and 18 months, including the MMR vaccine.
The overlap in timing is part of the reason why false claims that vaccines cause autism could lead people to believe the two are linked. However, scientific research has repeatedly shown that this overlap in timing is coincidental and not causal, and vaccinated children do not have higher autism rates than unvaccinated children.
The number of children diagnosed with autism has risen over the past decade. Diagnostic criteria have also changed, which broadened the definition to include people with lower support needs who may not have previously qualified for the diagnosis (formerly diagnosed as Aspergers Syndrome). This, along with increased awareness of ASD, is likely the main cause of this increase.
Autism spectrum disorder, as the name implies, is a spectrum. This means that there are varying degrees to which autism affects people’s day-to-day lives.
Research has shown that the cause of autism is largely genetic, which means the genes for developing autism are passed down from one generation to the next.
UNKNOWNS
While autism is largely genetic, scientists continue to research other factors which may increase the risk of autism including the age of parents at the time of conception.
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On May 9th, the FDA approved Galdieria extract blue, butterfly pea flower extract (blue, green, or purple) and calcium phosphate (white) for use in foods and drinks. Research shows the three additives to be safe for use as food dyes and may provide an alternative for food manufacturers looking to switch to more natural dyes. These dyes may not work as alternatives for some products, as natural dyes tend to fade more quickly or be more expensive.
WHAT WE KNOW
Galdieria extract blue comes from a species of algae, butterfly pea flower extract comes from flower petals, and calcium phosphate is a mineral that contains calcium and phosphorus.
Synthetic color additives are often made from petroleum.
Concerns about the possible health effects of synthetic or artificial food dyes have been raised. But as of May 2025 no conclusive evidence has shown that synthetic dyes are harmful to humans in the amounts present in food. Some studies have shown carcinogenic effects in rats related to some artificial dyes like Red Dye #3, and other small studies have suggested synthetic dyes may have negative health effects. The UK and Canada require a warning label on foods that contain artificial dyes.
UNKNOWNS
It is hard to tell which products natural dyes will work for, and things like shelf life, cost, and final appearance all play a factor on whether a natural dye could be used.
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