Red 40 is a synthetic dye widely used in processed foods, beverages, candies, and cosmetics. The food and cosmetic industry loves to use it for its bright red color, and it is often found in items that are vibrant in color or marketed to children.
Red 40 may appear in ingredient lists as:
- Allura Red AC
- FD&C Red No. 40
- Simply Red 40
Rumors are spreading that the FDA will ban it in the coming days or weeks because of the many health and safety concerns.
Why Is Red 40 So Controversial?
It is very encouraging that the FDA is being forced to ban Red 40 because of growing evidence of its potential health risks and people’s desire for safer food ingredients in the United States.
Red 40 is controversial for these reasons:
Hyperactivity in Children: Studies have linked Red 40 and other synthetic dyes to behavioral issues, including hyperactivity and attention deficits in children, especially those with ADHD (Miller et al., 2022).
Allergic Reactions: Red 40 has been associated with mild to severe allergic reactions, including hives, asthma, and skin irritation, particularly in individuals sensitive to food dyes (Weisbrod, Caruana, Li, Wan, & Szema, 2023).
Potential Carcinogenic Effects: While the FDA generally regards Red 40 as safe for human consumption, some animal studies have suggested that high doses may increase cancer risk. However, evidence in humans is limited and inconclusive (Zhang et al., 2023).
Contamination with Harmful Substances
Some evidence shows that Red 40 can be contaminated with benzidine and other carcinogenic compounds during the manufacturing process.
Although these impurities are present in trace amounts, their potential cumulative effects raise huge concerns (Kobylewski & Jacobson, 2012).
Common Foods With Red 40
Here are some common categories and specific examples of products that often contain Red 40:
Snacks and Candies
- Candy: Skittles, Starburst, Jolly Ranchers, Twizzlers, Sour Patch Kids, Swedish Fish, and gummy bears.
- Chocolate with Red Coating: M&M’s (red-colored candies).
- Fruit Snacks: Welch’s, Gushers, and other fruit-flavored snacks.
Beverages
- Sodas: Mountain Dew Code Red, Fanta (red and orange varieties), and Big Red Soda.
- Sports Drinks: Gatorade (Fruit Punch flavor), Powerade.
- Juices and Drinks: Hawaiian Punch, Kool-Aid, and SunnyD.
- Energy Drinks: Monster and Red Bull (certain flavors).
Desserts and Baked Goods
- Cake Mixes and Frostings: Red Velvet cake mixes and bright-colored frostings from brands like Duncan Hines and Betty Crocker.
- Ice Cream and Popsicles: Brands like Baskin-Robbins (red swirl or toppings) and popsicles (red and pink flavors).
- Gelatins and Puddings: Jell-O (Strawberry, Cherry, and Raspberry flavors).
Breakfast Foods
- Cereals: Lucky Charms, Trix, and Fruity Pebbles.
- Pastries: Pop-Tarts (strawberry or cherry flavors) and toaster strudels with red icing.
Condiments and Sauces
- Salad Dressings: French dressing or Thousand Island dressing.
- Condiments: Some ketchup brands and BBQ sauces use Red 40 to enhance color.
Processed Snacks
- Chips and Crackers: Flavored chips like Doritos (Spicy Sweet Chili) or spicy crackers.
- Packaged Snacks: Slim Jims and other processed meat sticks.
Vitamins & Medications
- Many over-the-counter children’s medicines, such as Tylenol, gummy vitamins, and supplements, include Red 40 for coloring. Look for the Dye-Free options.
Challenges Of Eliminating Artificial Colors
How the food industry switches from synthetic Red 40 to an acceptable alternative will depend on the specific requirements of the product, such as:
- Color Intensity
- Stability &
- Flavor Compatibility
Food companies must reformulate their recipes and adjust to get the right balance of flavors and colors.
But here, it gets tricky: natural colors may require additional stabilizers or antioxidants to prevent degradation. So, will we get more chemicals in the form of additives in exchange for eliminating synthetic Red 40?
Another factor is the cost of using natural ingredients instead of artificial ones. This change undoubtedly will increase the prices of processed foods in the United States.
What Are The Natural Alternatives To Red 40?
Name | Origin | Pros | Cons |
Beet Juice or Beet Powder | Dried, ground beets | Natural, mild flavor, rich in nutrients | Sensitive to heat and pH changes |
Paprika Extract (Capsanthin) | Paprika peppers | Heat-stable, widely available | Slightly peppery flavor |
Carmine (Cochineal Extract) | Made from crushed cochineal insects | Heat and pH stable, bright color | Not vegan or vegetarian, may cause allergies in some people. |
Red Radish Extract | Extracted from red radishes | Natural and plant-based | Limited availability, sensitive to processing conditions |
Anthocyanins | Found in fruits like blackberries, cherries, grapes, and purple sweet potatoes | Natural, antioxidant-rich | Color can shift depending on acidity (pH-sensitive) |
Pomegranate Juice | Pomegranates | Natural, antioxidant rich | May impart flavor to the product |
Let’s wait and see when the FDA actually implements this change and how the food industry adapts to it.
For more on artificial colorings in processed foods, please refer: https://grosseating.com/the-use-of-artificial-colors-in-our-food-supply/
