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Sean Poulter - More by this author » Last updated at 19:13pm on 15th May 2007

Marks & Spenscer has become the latest store chain to announce it will remove artificial colours and flavours from 99 per cent of its food products by the end of the year.

Asda revealed it was doing the same with 9,000 own-brand items earlier this week.

The decision follows a study commissioned by the Food Standards Agency which drew a link between additives and poor behaviour and concentration in
children.

The bans announced by M&S and Asda extend to the controversial sweetener aspartame.

David Gregory, director of technology at M&S, said: "By September, 95 per cent of our foods will be free from artificial colourings and flavourings - this covers all our chilled foods, cakes and bakery.

"The remaining 4 per cent of products are in biscuits and groceries and will be converted by the end of the year."

Only the store's cola drinks would continue to contain an artificial colour, he added. It was hoped an alternative would be found soon.