Food Additives, Dyes, & New Regulations

What it is:

Dyes and additives are substances added to foods to preserve flavor, enhance taste, appearance, or other qualities. Food dyes (also called color additives) are a specific category used to give food an appealing color or to restore color lost during processing. These can be synthetic (often petroleum-based) or derived from natural sources. Current FDA 2025 changes involve: 

1. FD&C Red No. 3 (Erythrosine)

2. Status: Banned in the U.S. for food and ingested drugs.

3. Effective Dates: January 15, 2027 (foods); January 18, 2028 (ingested drugs).

4. Reasoning: Linked to cancer in male lab rats; banned under the Delaney Clause, which prohibits carcinogenic additives.

2. Titanium Dioxide (E171)

   • Status: Banned in the European Union since 2022. U.S. Status: Still permitted but under FDA review following petitions to ban its use.

   • Reasoning: Concerns over genotoxicity and potential DNA damage. 

3. FD&C Red No. 40, Yellow No. 5, Yellow No. 6, Blue No. 1, Blue No. 2, Green No. 3

   • Status: Set for phase-out in the U.S. by the end of 2026.

   • Reasoning: Part of FDA's initiative to eliminate petroleum-based synthetic dyes from the food supply.

4. Citrus Red No. 2 and Orange B

   • Status: FDA plans to revoke authorization in the coming months.

   • Reasoning: Ongoing efforts to remove synthetic dyes from the food supply.

What the science says right now:

Safety and Regulation:

• The FDA and similar agencies worldwide regulate food dyes, requiring safety testing before approval. However, ongoing research and public concern have led to increased scrutiny of certain synthetic dyes, especially those derived from petroleum. (FDA, 2025)

Recent Developments:

• In 2025, the FDA announced a phase-out of petroleum-based synthetic dyes from the U.S. food supply, citing emerging evidence and consumer demand for safer, more natural ingredients. This follows actions in Europe and some U.S. school districts to reduce or ban artificial dyes. (NYT, 2025)

• Research has linked certain synthetic dyes to potential health issues. For instance, Red No. 3 has been associated with cancer in animal studies, leading to its ban in cosmetics since 1990 and a forthcoming ban in foods by 2027. (FDA, 2025)

Natural vs. Artificial:

• Natural dyes (like beet juice or turmeric) are increasingly popular, but “natural” does not always mean safer or better. Some natural dyes can also cause allergic reactions or instability in foods. Rigorous safety testing, regardless of the source, is crucial for all food products.

• Some studies suggest a link between certain artificial dyes and behavioral issues in sensitive children, such as hyperactivity, although the evidence is mixed. There is less robust evidence connecting food dyes to cancer or other chronic diseases at levels typically consumed. (McGill OSS)

Many brands are voluntarily removing artificial dyes in response to consumer preferences for “clean label” products. Familiar brands include:

• Skittles (Mars Inc.) – Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1

• M&M's (Mars Inc.) – Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1, Blue 2

• Jolly Rancher (The Hershey Company) – Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1

• Jell-O (Kraft Heinz) – Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1

• Froot Loops (Kellogg's) – Red 40, Yellow 5, Blue 1

• Apple Jacks (Kellogg's) – Red 40, Yellow 6

• Trix (General Mills) – Red 40, Yellow 5, Blue 1

• Cap’n Crunch – Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Red 40

• Fruity Pebbles – Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1

• Gatorade (PepsiCo) – Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6

• Mountain Dew (PepsiCo) – Yellow 5

• Fanta (The Coca-Cola Company) – Yellow 6, Red 40 (varies by flavor)

• Doritos (PepsiCo) – Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Red 40

• Takis (Barcel) – Red 40, Yellow 5, Blue 1

But also, some surprising or lesser-known products that may include these dyes are:

• Pickles and Relish

  • Bright green varieties (like Vlasic Sweet Relish) often use Yellow 5.

• Maraschino Cherries 

  • Typically colored with Red 40.

• Flavored Applesauce or Yogurt 

  • Especially kid-targeted versions may include Red 40 or Blue 1.

• Salad Dressings

  • Some creamy varieties, such as French or Thousand Island, contain Yellow 5 or Red 40.

• Vanilla Cake Mixes and Frostings

  • White or light colors may still use color-balancing dyes like Red 40 or Yellow 5.

• Cheese-flavored Crackers (like Cheez-Its) 

  • Often contain Annatto, but sometimes Yellow 6.

• Flavored Oatmeal

  • Fruit-flavored packets may contain Red 40, Blue 1, or Yellow 6.

• Cough Syrup and Children's Medications 

  • Commonly include Red 40, Blue 1, and Yellow 6.

• Toothpaste and Mouthwash 

  • Brightly colored varieties often use Blue 1 or Green 3.

• Wasabi Peas

  • Often colored green using Yellow 5 and Blue 1.

• Fruit Snacks or Dried Fruit Mixes 

  • Especially papaya or pineapple chunks, often dyed with Red 40 or Yellow 5.

• Protein Shakes and Powders 

  • Some flavored versions include artificial dyes for marketing appeal.

• Burger Buns or Tortilla Wraps 

  • Novelty or seasonal colors (e.g., red, blue, green buns) use various dyes.

Those who wish to avoid them can look for products labeled “no artificial colors” or opt for minimally processed foods. Food dyes are widely used and closely regulated; however, concerns about the safety of synthetic, petroleum-derived dyes are leading to significant changes in the food industry. For now, aim for whole, real foods and single-ingredient items rather than packaged products. 

References and Resources:

• https://api.apeiron.life/recommends/blog/microplastics-and-the-body-limiting-exposure

• https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/hhs-fda-phase-out-petroleum-based-synthetic-dyes-nations-food-supply

• https://www.fda.gov/food/color-additives-information-consumers/color-additives-foods

• https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/25/business/rfk-jr-food-dye-ban-manufacturers.html

• https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/12/opinion/kennedy-ultraprocessed-food-dyes.html

• https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/do-you-want-artificial-or-natural-dyes-your-food-wrong-question

• https://blog.myfitnesspal.com/dietitian-review-artificial-dyes-health-popular-foods/

• https://foodbabe.com/blog/

• https://ehjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12940-022-00849-9

• https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772529424001255

• https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11736054/

• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23026007/

• https://www.cspinet.org/page/synthetic-food-dyes-health-risks-history-and-policy

• https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772275922000272