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Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
10 Everyday Foods You'd Never Guess Contain Synthetic Dyes
Synthetic food dyes like Red 40 and Yellow 5 are found in nearly 24,000 U.S. food products, including unexpected items like yogurt, pickles, and oatmeal. These dyes, often used to enhance appearance, are petroleum-based and may pose health concerns like hyperactivity, allergic reactions, and gut issues. Experts and health officials are urging greater transparency and regulation, with growing momentum to phase out synthetic dyes and help consumers make more informed food human eye is a miraculous thing, especially when it helps us choose the foods we eat. As one 2016 study in the journal Brain and Cognition explains, trichromatic color vision — which gives us the ability to see the whole rainbow of colors — may have developed in primates as "an adaptation that facilitated the selection of more energy-rich (and likely red) fruits from amongst the dark green forest canopy."Humans have always loved bright, colorful foods, as they signal that they could be the food we need to survive. However, this lifestyle of "eating with our eyes" could finally be catching up to us, as the need for identifying a crispy red apple among the branches of a leafy green tree has been replaced by the choice of vibrant pink yogurts, impossibly yellow mustards, and candy that's bluer than the sky, thanks to artificial food dyes. And while you may think you know which foods contain artificial color, these dyes could be lurking in foods you'd never expect."According to NIQ data, Red Dye 40 is by far the most common food additive, found in nearly 24,000 food and beverage items in the U.S.," Sherry Frey, the vice president of Total Wellness at NielsenIQ, shared with Food & Wine. Frey noted that categories where synthetic dyes are most prevalent include candy, gum, mints, snacks, desserts, baking supplies, and beverages. However, consumers might be surprised to learn that these additives are also found in items that seem otherwise 'healthy' or simple."Here's what you need to know about dyes and some surprising foods you can find them in. Artificial food dyes are synthetic chemicals added to food to enhance or stabilize color. "Most artificially colored foods are colored with synthetic petroleum-based chemicals — called dyes — that do not occur in nature," according to the Center for Science in the Public late April, Robert Kennedy Jr., Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), announced his department's plans to phase out petroleum-based artificial colors from the nation's food supply, including Red 40, Blue 1 and 2, Yellow 5 and 6, and Green 3. (The U.S. Food and Drug Administration under the Biden administration had already banned Red 3 in January, but RFK Jr. noted they would like to move the timeline of that ban up.) RFK Jr. didn't go into specifics on how this will happen; however, it's a move that is receiving plenty of praise. Related: Are Natural Food Dyes Better? Experts Weigh In on the Pros and Cons "While the FDA considers approved dyes safe within regulated limits, emerging evidence continues to raise questions about hyperactivity in children, allergic reactions, and long-term exposure risks," Jonathan Poyourow, chef and professor at Johnson & Wales, who also specializes in nutrition, shared. You don't need to panic over every processed bite, but awareness is key. "This moment offers both a challenge and an opportunity," Ashley Cornell, the director of regulatory affairs and Policy at Canadian Health Food Association, added. "We have a chance to reexamine what we prioritize in our food, and to push for greater clarity, safety, and simplicity. The good news is that change is already happening. Bright, beautiful food can still delight the senses without compromising your well-being. When we know better, we can choose better." "You should definitely proceed with caution," Lindsay Malone, a nutrition instructor at Case Western Reserve University, shared, also citing studies that link food dyes to hyperactivity. "Food dyes are commonly in ultra-processed foods, which come with their own negative health baggage, including blood sugar instability, changes in the gut microbiome, and crowding out other healthy foods." However, Malone added, "My gut feeling is that dyes probably aren't the only problem here. Most people can limit their dye exposure by eating more whole, minimally processed foods at the grocery store. Related: This Food Safety Bill Would Require Food Companies to Fess Up About Food Additives "Think of these as single-ingredient foods or foods with very few ingredients. When you do eat processed food, choose the most simply prepared and avoid the dyes when you can." Still, nutritionist Seyma Turan agrees with Malone, adding, 'Consistent exposure — especially through ultra-processed foods — can increase cumulative health stress, particularly for those with gut issues, sensitivities, or autoimmune conditions.' It's not always easy to decipher what exactly is in our food. But if you're in the U.S., look for names like Red 40, Yellow 5, or Blue 1 on ingredient lists. Terms like 'artificial color' or 'color added' can also indicate synthetic dyes. Additionally, there are apps like Yuka and the Environmental Working Group's Food Scores that can help you decode ingredient lists. Want to avoid these dyes? You may already be aware of the common culprits, but here are 10 products containing food dyes that might surprise you. That vibrant green hue on bread and butter pickles is often thanks to Yellow 5. "A natural cucumber's color can fade during processing and storage," Cornell said. "To compensate, synthetic color is commonly added to intensify the green hue of shelf-stable pickles. This gives the illusion of freshness, even after long periods in brine or on store shelves." You may think you're getting a fruity punch by picking up fruit-on-the-bottom yogurt, but be warned that those berry tones can come from Red 40 or Yellow 6 to make strawberry, peach, or cherry colors pop. "One that surprises many people is 'healthy-looking' items like plant-based yogurts or fruit juices — some still use colorants to appear fresher or more vibrant," Turan explained. The Environmental Working Group highlights another popular snack that may have added colors: Wasabi peas. The group explained that they "get their green from artificial dye. It's likely not from Green 3, which isn't widely used but is in the bill California lawmakers are considering. Instead, you can thank Blue 1 and Yellow 5 in combination — maybe with some Red 40 thrown in — for the leafy color, whether the peas are in a mix of snack items or on their own." Again, you may feel as though you're doing your best by avoiding brightly colored cake mixes, but even "plain" cakes can contain Yellow 5 to give the batter a richer and more buttery appearance. "Products marketed as creamy, white, or lightly colored often rely on additives to enhance appearance," Cornell said. "Common examples include vanilla yogurt, vanilla cake mix, mayonnaise, non-dairy creamers, marshmallows, light-colored soft drinks, powdered sugar, and frosting." Before you swap your cake mix for a different dessert, take a little time to look closely at those labels, too. Certain flavors of pudding, including butterscotch, can contain Yellow 6 and Yellow 5 to create a brighter, creamier-looking color. Before you top that salad, you may want to peek at the ingredients list on your dressing. According to Cornell, "Natural oils and acidic ingredients can cause color separation or fading, especially in light-exposed bottles. Synthetic colors are often added to standardize the look of creamy dressings, and maintain a consistent visually appealing color." That can include titanium dioxide, "used in white or light-colored dressings (like Caesar or ranch) to achieve opacity and brightness," or Yellow No. 5, which "adds a warm yellow hue and often used in French, honey mustard, or ranch dressing." Cornell added that Yellow No. 6 is often used to give that deep orange hue to Thousand Island dressing. Just like that flavored yogurt, anyone who wants to avoid added synthetic food coloring may want to forgo pre-packed flavored applesauce, particularly strawberry-flavored packets, which can contain Red 40 to enhance their appearance. During breakfast time, Poyourow says you should also check your instant oatmeal packet, "especially strawberry or maple-brown sugar," as it may contain dyes that signal flavor cues to your brain, including Red 40. "Food coloring helps replicate the look of ripe fruit, even when color from real fruit is minimal, is lost during cooking, or fades over time," Cornell said. Red No. 40, she added, is commonly used to "enhance or standardize color in strawberry, raspberry, or cherry spreads," while Yellow No. 6 is sometimes "added to orange marmalades, peach, or apricot jams to intensify the warm orange tone." According to Cornell, Red No. 3 is "occasionally used to deepen red in deli meats." The Environmental Working Group notes that it is possible the same ingredient could have been used to enhance the color of smoked salmon, including salmon cream cheese, too. Read the original article on Food & Wine
The Hill
22-04-2025
- Health
- The Hill
RFK Jr. wants to ban food dyes — but voluntarily
The dyes are heavily used in the U.S. and include Red 40, Yellow 5 and 6, Blue 1 and 2, and Green 3. Eliminating petroleum-based dyes is a key objective of HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s Make America Healthy Again movement, and it marks the first major effort to overhaul the nation's food supply. Kennedy has blamed artificial dyes for a host of health problems and has accused the food industry of poisoning the nation's children. In March, he met with the leaders of major food companies and demanded they eliminate artificial dyes within two years. But the effort is essentially voluntary. Kennedy said the agency has 'an understanding' with the food industry and has not outlined a regulatory or legislative pathway. He hinted at potential labels on foods to indicate the presence of petroleum-based food dyes. Remember: On Jan. 15, shortly before the second Trump administration began, the FDA revoked authorization for the use of Red No. 3 in food and ingested drugs. Manufacturers who use this dye, which the FDA noted isn't as widely used as other colorants, have until 2027 and 2028 to update their foods and ingested drugs respectively. Makary said Tuesday that he is requesting the FDA speed up this deadline. When asked if he credited the Biden administration for starting this initiative at the federal level to remove food dyes, Kennedy said he did, though added, 'I wish it hadn't taken him to one week before I came into office.' Pushback: Consumer advocacy groups have long said chemical additives serve little purpose in food additives. But some noted Kennedy's plan was short on details about how HHS would enforce compliance if food companies failed to remove the dyes by the end of 2026. Food companies and industry groups have pushed back on Kennedy's claims, though none on Tuesday outright slammed the effort. 'FDA and regulatory bodies around the world have deemed our products and ingredients safe, and we look forward to working with the Trump Administration and Congress on this issue,' Christopher Gindlesperger, senior vice president of public affairs and communications at the National Confectioners Association's said.
Chicago Tribune
15-02-2025
- Health
- Chicago Tribune
Red dye No. 3 has been banned, but what about other artificial food dyes?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration banned the dye known as Red 3 from the nation's food supply in January, setting deadlines for stripping the brightly hued additive from candies and cough syrup, baked goods and frozen treats. The agency said it was taking the action because studies found that the dye, also known as erythrosine, caused cancer in lab rats. A federal statute requires FDA to ban any additive found to cause cancer in animals, though officials stressed that the way Red 3 leads to cancer in rats doesn't happen in people. But the dye is only one of several synthetic colors widely found in common foods and other products. As their use is questioned by experts and consumers, here's what you need to know: What are artificial colors? Synthetic dyes are petroleum-based chemicals that don't occur in nature. They're widely used in foods to 'enhance the visual appeal' of products, according to Sensient Food Colors, a St. Louis-based supplier of food colors and flavorings. Nine dyes, including Red 3, have been allowed in U.S. food. The other common color additives in food are Blue 1, Blue 2, Green 3, Red 40, Yellow 5 and Yellow 6. Two permitted colors are used more rarely: Citrus Red 2 and Orange B. The FDA certifies synthetic color additives and regulates their use. With the FDA's recent order on Red 3, manufacturers have until January 2027 to remove the dye from their products. Makers of ingested drugs like cough syrups have until January 2028. Who is concerned about these dyes and why? Consumer advocates, including the Center for Science in the Public Interest, had long lobbied to ban Red 3 from food because of the rat-cancer link. The dye was prohibited for decades in cosmetics, but not in food or ingested medications. Other research has tied artificial colors to behavioral problems in some children, including hyperactivity and impulsivity, particularly for those at risk for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. 'Artificial colors are not the main cause of ADHD, but they may contribute significantly to some cases,' said Dr. L. Eugene Arnold, an emeritus psychiatry professor at Ohio State University who studied dyes and their effect on behavior and now advises CHADD, a support group for people with ADHD. The FDA says it has reviewed and evaluated the effects of color additives on children's behavior. It says its scientists believe that most children suffer no adverse effects when consuming them, though it acknowledges some children may be sensitive to them. About two-thirds of Americans favor restricting or reformulating processed foods to remove ingredients like added sugar or dyes, according to a recent AP-NORC poll. Will other colors be banned? Momentum is building for the removal of synthetic dyes in foods. Last year, California became the first state to ban six artificial food dyes from food served in public schools. More than a dozen state legislatures may take up bills this year that would ban synthetic dyes in foods, either for school lunches or in any setting. In October, protesters demanded that WK Kellogg Co. remove artificial dyes from cereals such as Apple Jacks and Froot Loops. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., recently confirmed as the U.S. secretary of health and human services, campaigned on a promise to 'Make America Healthy Again,' including a focus on artificial dyes and other chemicals in food. His support has been buoyed by 'MAHA moms,' women on social media calling for an end to artificial ingredients and ultraprocessing in the U.S. food supply, among other concerns. 'I was called a conspiracy theorist because I said that red dye caused cancer,' Kennedy said during his confirmation hearing. 'Now, FDA has acknowledged that and banned it.' What about natural colors? It is possible to add color to foods with natural ingredients. Some manufacturers have already reformulated products to remove Red 3. In its place they use beet juice; carmine, a dye made from insects; or pigments from foods such as purple sweet potato, radish and red cabbage. But it's tricky, said Meghan Skidmore, a Sensient spokesperson. Natural dyes may be less stable than synthetic dyes and may be affected by factors including heat and acid levels. 'It's not impossible to replace, but there's not a single solution,' she said. How can you avoid synthetic dyes? Because the dyes are so widely used, it can be difficult to find foods that don't contain color additives. The best to way to avoid the dyes is to read ingredient labels, said Arnold. 'If the list is so long that you don't want bother reading it and it probably has things in it you can't pronounce, don't buy it,' he said.
Yahoo
30-01-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Red Dye No. 3 Can be Found in These 9 Foods in Your Pantry
The Food and Drug Administration has officially revoked its authorization of Red No. 3 in food, drinks and ingested drugs across the country after two studies showed that when laboratory rats consumed the dye in high amounts, it caused cancer. The state of California banned the same dye and three other food additives in 2023, which gave manufacturers until 2027 to change their recipes. Then in 2024, California once again banned six more artificial dyes -- Blue 1, Blue 2, Green 3, Red 40, Yellow 5 and Yellow 6 -- from being served in public schools. Here's everything to know about the foods that have the synthetic dye. Best Places to Buy Groceries Online See at Cnet Red No. 3 -- also known as FD&C Red No. 3, erythrosine or Red 3 -- is a synthetic dye that is made from petroleum and adds a "bright, cherry-red color" to the products it is added to. In 1990, the FDA banned Red No. 3 in cosmetics, but no law barred the synthetic dye from being added to numerous types of foods and drinks for decades to come. The FDA cited the Delaney Clause as its reasoning behind the ban, which "prohibits FDA authorization of a food additive or color additive if it has been found to induce cancer in humans or animals." Although studies did show a link to cancer in laboratory rats, a link between the dye and cancer in humans has not been found. "While there are studies noting carcinogenicity in male rats, the FDA noted in their announcement that the hormonal mechanism through which the dye caused cancer in rats is specific to the animal and does not occur in humans," Bryan Hitchcock, chief science and technology officer of the Institute of Food Technologists, told CNET. Hitchcock added that the studies used large amounts of the dye, which is more than what the average human would consume when eating the foods that contain it. "Studies testing Red No. 3 for human safety have done so at amounts well above the average amount of consumption, as noted by various global regulatory bodies," he says. "The studies referenced by the FDA note that the rats were given roughly 200 times the likely maximum daily consumption of .25 mg/kg of body weight per day." Candy Cakes Cupcakes Cookies Frozen desserts Frostings Icings Certain Maraschino cherries Certain processed meats and meat substitutes Some specific items that currently have Red No. 3 on its ingredient list are: Numerous types of Brach's candy, including Classic Jelly Beans, Spiced Jelly Beans and Conversation Hearts MorningStar Farms Plant-Based Bacon Strips Good Humor Strawberry Shortcake Frozen Dessert Bars Pez candy According to a list compiled by some of the drugs that have Red No. 3 in them include: Acetaminophen Doxycycline Monohydrate Gabapentin Vyvanse Despite the ban, don't expect to see the Red No. 3 ingredient disappear from ingredient lists too quickly. According to the FDA, companies will have until 2027 or 2028 to remove it from their products. "Manufacturers who use FD&C Red No. 3 in food and ingested drugs will have until January 15, 2027, or January 18, 2028, respectively, to reformulate their products," the FDA's statement reads. Givaudan Sense Colour, a manufacturing company that creates natural food and drink colorings, highlighted three possible alternatives to Red No. 3. They include carmine, which is actually made from bugs; betacyanins, found in beetroots; and anthocyanins, derived from fruits and vegetables. California assemblymember Jesse Gabriel told NBC News that although synthetic dyes can be cheaper than other alternatives, he does not believe that the Red No. 3 ban will cause prices of the affected products to change. "We don't expect the price of any food to increase," he told the outlet. As for alternative synthetic dyes, Red 40, which is not banned by the FDA, can also help achieve a bright red color, so it is also a possible alternative that manufacturers will choose. After the Red No. 3 ban, there are now eight color additives approved by the FDA. They are FD&C Blue No. 1, FD&C Blue No. 2, FD&C Green No. 3, Orange B, Citrus Red No. 2, FD&C Red No. 40, FD&C Yellow No. 5 and FD&C Yellow No. 6. Hitchcock says that so far, studies show that there is not a notable risk to consuming these dyes. "While science tells us that there is little to no risk in consuming other synthetic dyes, it is important that we continue to monitor and evaluate food ingredient safety," he says. "It is paramount that we continue to invest in more scientific research around the health of our foods to ensure safety and provide peace of mind for consumers." According to the FDA, the above dyes do not pose the same possible risks as Red No. 3, which is why they are still available for use in the US. But, some studies show possible links between certain dyes and potential health conditions. For example, some studies have linked Red 40 to hyperactivity, according to the Cleveland Clinic, but further studies are still needed to determine a direct link between the dye and the condition. When asked about the safety of other food dyes, Hitchcock highlighted the need for transparency from the FDA, which he says the agency has been addressing. "We believe there needs to be a clear framework for post-market review for food additive safety," Hitchcock says. "The FDA is actively working to address this issue as seen in their 'Development of an Enhanced Systematic Process for the FDA's Post-Market Assessment of Chemicals in Food.' IFT believes that the FDA needs to bring forward a post-market assessment of chemical food safety that is transparent, scientifically grounded, constituent informed and timely." Red No. 3 has been fully banned in the US, but it will continue to be used in food for the next two years as manufacturers work to change their recipes. However, some manufacturers are making changes much more quickly than that. In an email to CBS News, Keurig Dr Pepper said that a "new formula" for Yoo-hoo Strawberry Flavored Drink, which is currently made with Red No. 3 to help achieve its color, "will be on shelves before the end of the year."
