The Hidden Dangers of Food Dyes
With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, so too are the red- and pink-hued candies, chocolates, and frosted baked goods typical of the holiday of L-O-V-E. Though tastefully delicious, did you know the food dyes in these sweet treats may be physically and emotionally affecting your health?
Today, we’re shining a light on the topic of color additive allergies and intolerances as they affect an estimated one to two percent of children and about one percent of adults (that’s almost three million adults!) in America.
Color Additives? Tell Me More…
Color additives are any substances that can transmit color to a food, drug, or cosmetic product. They can be natural or synthetic and are typically used to make products more visually appealing. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is tasked with ensuring these color additives are safely and appropriately used. Currently, there are 36 FDA-approved color additives.
Natural color additives like paprika, turmeric, iron, and saffron have been used to add color to cosmetics as early as 300 B.C. by the Egyptians. Natural food additives are still used today—for example, spirulina to add green, sweet potato or carrot to add orange, beets or pomegranates for reds and pinks, and turmeric for yellow. In the 19th century, synthetic dyes, also known as artificial food colors or artificial food dyes, were developed from petroleum and coal following the Industrial Revolution. And by the 1900s, artificial coloring began sneaking its way into foods, cosmetics, and even drugs.
the Potential Dangers
More and more of the foods we eat are dyed using artificial food colors (AFCs). They’re often marketed to children—think candies, fruit-flavored snacks, and drink mix/powders—and constitute more than 40 percent of the products in grocery stores according to a study conducted by the University of North Carolina.
These AFCs present several dangers, both physical and behavioral. Research is exploring the link between artificial food colors and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). A study from Ohio State University concluded “AFCs are not a main cause of ADHD, but they may contribute significantly to some cases, and in some cases may additively push a youngster over the diagnostic threshold.”
Dr. Rebecca Bevans, a professor of psychology at Western Nevada College, gave a TED Talk on the effects of artificial food dyes. Dr. Bevans has a Ph.D. in neuroscience, a master’s degree in child development, and a young son who became increasingly disruptive and even suicidal. Through the elimination of food dyes in her son’s diet, she saw him return to his normal, happy self. She notes in the talk that everybody is different, and therefore, affected differently by foods. In her personal anecdote, she noticed each color additive had a different effect on her son:
Interestingly, many of these food dyes are banned or require a warning label in other countries. For example, Europe requires a warning label that color additives, “…may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children,” and each food color used is subject to a rigorous safety assessment by the European Food Safety Authority.
In addition to adverse effects, it’s possible to have an allergic reaction to color additives—even the natural ones! For example, yellow food coloring is commonly achieved from saffron or annatto, which are both natural colorings. There have been reports of annatto—commonly used to color cheese, ice cream, and butter—causing allergic reactions in individuals with peanut and tree nut allergies.
Legislative Progress
There is legislative progress to be celebrated. Just this month, the FDA passed a ban on Red No. 3, which is made from petroleum and gives foods and drinks a bright red color. Take a trip down the Valentine’s Day candy aisle, and it’s easy to see how ubiquitous it is. 👀 Red No. 3 has been found to induce cancer in humans and animals, and was already banned by the FDA in 1990 for use in cosmetics and topical drugs for the same reason. This new ban gives food manufacturers until January 15, 2027, to reformulate their products while companies who manufacture ingested drugs, like dietary supplements, will get an extra year.
Similar legislation is being enacted on a state level. New York lawmakers already introduced legislation banning Red No. 3 by the beginning of 2026. The state of California passed the California School Food Safety Act which will ban six FDA-approved artificial food dyes in public school foods and drinks by 2027.
That was a lot 😵💫, now what?
Going into Valentine’s Day (or any holiday!), it’s always reassuring to double-check the ingredients in the sweets you plan to eat or the treats your child plans to share with friends or classmates. Avoid items with synthetic color additives, which include:
Red 3
Red 40
Yellow 5
Yellow 6
Blue 1
Green 3
Citrus Red 2
Orange B
Instead, opt for brands with no artificial dyes (and who are allergen-free 😉) such as:
Color additives can feel scary and confusing, but here at Amulet, we believe food should be a source of fuel, not fear. We hope to arm you with information to make safe choices for you and your family! If you know brands making snacks without artificial color additives, drop them in the comments below. We’d love to add to our list. 😍
Have a safe and SWEET Valentine’s Day!
— Nyomi and the Amulet Team