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Startling number of foods and drinks that contain cancer-linked ingredient revealed in major study
One in five food and drink products in the US contain synthetic colorings linked to health problems, a major study has found.
Concerns have been rising for years about the increased use of the dyes, which studies have suggested may cause cancer.
Now, researchers have discovered just how prevalent they are in America's food supply.
The team from the University of North Carolina nearly 40,000 packaged food and beverage products manufactured by the top 25 food and beverage companies in the US, including Kraft Heinz Co., Nestle and Coca-Cola Co.
In total, 19 percent of all products analyzed contained at least one petroleum-based dye, the most common being Red 40.
Red 40, which was found in about 14 percent of the products tested, has previously been associated with childhood behavioral problems, cancer and infertility.
The dye is usually found in snacks such as Doritos chips, Kellogg Co.'s Froot Loops , Skittles and M&M's as well as drinks such as Gatorade and Mountain Dew soda.
But the new study found over 36,000 food products sold in the US contain Red 40, some of which may surprise customers, such as Heinz Sweet Relish, Kraft Creamy French dressing, various flavored milks and yogurts.
The experts also found that food colorings were present in 30 percent of food items targeted towards young children such as confectionery, sugar-sweetened beverages, ready meals, breakfast cereals and baked goods.
Since his election, Health and Human Services secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr. has been cracking down on the use of Red 40 and other harmful dyes in packaged foods.
Dr Elizabeth Dunford, adjunct assistant professor at the Department of Nutrition at the University of North Carolina and study author noted that the results were a cause for concern.
She said: 'Given the accumulation of evidence over the last 40 years pointing to the health harms of synthetic dyes, it's disappointing to see that they're still so prevalent in our food system, particularly in products that are designed to appeal to children,' she said.
'The high levels of sugar in these brightly colored products suggests that companies are using synthetic dyes to market sweet foods and beverages, but both ingredients are linked to poor health outcomes.'
The team examined ingredient data for each item to identify which dyes had been used in the products.
Most of the products contained Red 40, Red 3, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1, Blue 2 and Green 3.
Yellow 5, also known as tartrazine, has been linked to potential triggers for hyperactivity in children and potential DNA damage based on some studies.
Snacks such as Doritos, juices, cookies and pickles are known to have Yellow 5 in them.
Similarly, Yellow 6 - found in sugary breakfast cereals such as Lucky Charms and Cap'N Crunch - and Blue 1 - commonly found in gummy bears - can cause hyperactivity and inattention in children.
Blue 2 - common in sports drinks - and Green 3 - found in canned vegetables and salad dressings - are found to cause increased tumor growth in animals, particularly in the bladder and testes.
They found foods which contained dyes accounted for more than $46 billion worth of consumer sales as of 2020.
The scientists also revealed that Ferrero, the makers of Ferrero Rocher chocolates, used the highest amount of food dyes as nearly all of their products were filled with one or more coloring.
Over 50 percent of food items made by Mars Inc and over half of PepsiCo's energy drinks were also found to contain synthetic dyes.
As a result, Dr Dunford said it was encouraging to see that multiple US states had recently begun to take steps to ban the use of synthetic dyes.
She said: 'Until the regulatory process catches up with the science, parents and health-conscious consumers should always check the ingredients label for synthetic dyes and for high levels of added sugar.
'If a product contains either, you are better off not buying it, especially for your kids.'
It comes after RFK Jr outlined plans to ban synthetic food dyes from the US food supply as part of a broader move to address chronic diseases such as obesity and diabetes.
He recently issued an ultimatum to major food manufacturers - asking them strip their products of artificial dyes before the end of his term or face unknown consequences.
RFK Jr's remarks were shared in an internal memo sent by Melissa Hockstad, the chief executive officer of the Consumer Brands Association, to its members.
The CBA is a trade organization that represents the consumer packaged goods industry in the US, including those companies called out by RFK Jr, advocating for policies and regulations that support food companies.
Hockstad quoted RFK Jr in the memo, saying: 'He expects "real and transformative" change by "getting the worst ingredients out" of food.'
As a result, earlier this month Kraft Heinz, the company behind Kraft Mac and Cheese and Heinz ketchup, announced it will remove artificial colors from its products by 2027.
Products that currently use these dyes include Kool Aid, Crystal Light, MiO, Jet-Puffed marshmallows and Jell-O - and with the recipe change could also come variations in color, texture and taste.
Many packaged food companies, including W.K. Kellogg and Tyson Foods have also been working on reformulating existing products and introducing new items without artificial dyes.
In March, West Virginia introduced a bill to ban seven synthetic food dyes that have been linked to cancer and behavioral issues.
A bill introduced by House Delegate Adam Burkhammer last month intends to prohibit the sale of any food product made with dyes Red 3, Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1, Blue 2 and Green 3.
All of them are found in processed foods such as candy, cereal, sodas and bread and have long been under the microscope of Health Secretary RFK who intends to improve America's food by stripping harmful additives and dyes.
The bill seeks to ban the use of the artificial dyes in school nutrition programs effective August 1 with an exception for school fundraisers.
It also aims to ban the sale of products made with the dyes starting January 1, 2028, allowing manufacturers time to comply and in coordination with California's own food dye ban.
The study was published on June 25 in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
The state of Texas has also introduced a new bill expected to be signed into law would require companies to print a label on their food products if they contain additives, including dyes and bleached flour.
