According to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, the FDA has to approve food additives, including food colors, before they can be used in foods.
The FDA defines color additives as chemicals added to food that
“Offset color loss due to exposure to light, air, temperature extremes, moisture and storage conditions; correct natural variations in color; enhance colors that occur naturally; provide color to colorless and “fun” foods”. (Human Foods Program, 2024)
In other words, food additives are chemicals added to food to improve its flavor, appearance, texture, or shelf life. The food industry often uses them to enhance the appearance and appeal of food and beverages.
They can serve various purposes, including preserving freshness, improving taste, preventing spoilage, or providing nutritional benefits.
Additives can be natural or synthetic and are regulated by the FDA to ensure their safety for consumption. Common examples include preservatives, colorants, flavor enhancers, and stabilizers.
A point to note here is that the FDA does not distinguish between natural and artificial colorants. Instead, it just classifies them all as additives.
Concerns With Artificial Colors
Recently, activists protested outside Kellogg’s headquarters to demand that they stop using artificial dyes in their cereals.
Kellogg’s and other food brands have faced scrutiny over the years for using synthetic food dyes, such as Red 40, Yellow 5, and Blue 1. Some of the main concerns include potential links to hyperactivity in children (Health, 2021), allergic reactions, and general health implications (Kobylewski & Jacobson, 2012).
Due to these worries, people are now asking for natural alternatives.
Are Artificial Colors Still Used In Foods?
But despite all the outrage from activists, artificial dyes, also known as synthetic food colorings, are still widely used in the food industry to enhance the visual appeal of products. This is because of several reasons:
- Vibrant Colors: Synthetic dyes can produce bright, consistent, and vibrant colors that are often more intense than natural dyes. This visual appeal can enhance product attractiveness and consumer demand.
- Cost-Effectiveness: Synthetic dyes are typically less expensive to produce than natural dyes. This makes them a more economical choice for manufacturers, especially in large-scale production.
- Stability: Synthetic dyes often have better stability under various conditions (heat, light, and pH changes) compared to natural dyes, which can fade or change color over time. This stability ensures that products maintain their appearance throughout their shelf life.
- Availability: Synthetic dyes can be produced in large quantities and are readily available, making them a convenient choice for manufacturers.
- Consistent Quality: Because synthetic dyes are manufactured under controlled conditions, they provide a consistent color that can be replicated across batches, ensuring uniformity in products.
- Regulatory Approval: Many synthetic dyes have been extensively tested and approved by regulatory agencies like the FDA, making them a safe option for food manufacturers when used within established guidelines.
- Wide Range of Colors: Synthetic dyes offer a broader spectrum of colors, allowing manufacturers to create specific shades and hues tailored to their branding or consumer preferences
Common Artificial Colors Used In Foods
Here are some of the most common artificial dyes being used in the food industry:
- Red 40 (Allura Red): A bright red dye used in candies, beverages, and baked goods.
- Yellow 5 (Tartrazine): A yellow dye commonly found in soft drinks, candies, and processed foods.
- Yellow 6 (Sunset Yellow): An orange-yellow dye used in snacks, desserts, and cereals.
- Blue 1 (Brilliant Blue): A blue dye used in a variety of products, including candies and drinks.
- Blue 2 (Indigo Carmine): A blue dye used in baked goods, candies, and beverages.
- Green 3 (Fast Green): A green dye used in some desserts, beverages, and candies.
- Red 3 (Erythrosine): A red dye used in baked goods, candies, and some dairy products.
Natural Dyes
Natural dyes are color additives derived from natural sources, such as plants, fruits, vegetables, and minerals. Consumers often prefer these dyes for cleaner labels and fewer synthetic ingredients. They are mostly exempt from FDA certification or testing, which means they can be directly used in foods without needing approval from the FDA.
Here are some common natural food dyes:
- Beet Juice: Gives a deep red or pink color.
- Turmeric: Gives a bright yellow hue.
- Spinach or Chlorella: Used for green coloring.
- Paprika: Imparts a reddish-orange color.
- Carrot Juice: Adds an orange tint.
- Blueberry or Blackcurrant Juice: Used for blue or purple shades.
- Annatto: Sourced from the seeds of the achiote tree, it gives a yellow to orange color.
- Cochineal: Derived from insects, this dye produces a red color.
Why Are Natural Dyes Not Replacing Artificial Ones?
Natural dyes are considered safer and more environmentally friendly but can have varying stability and intensity compared to synthetic dyes. However, they face several challenges that make it difficult for them to fully replace artificial colors in the food industry:
- Color Intensity and Consistency: Natural dyes often produce less vibrant colors compared to synthetic dyes. They can also vary in color intensity based on factors like growing conditions and extraction methods, leading to inconsistencies between batches.
- Stability: Natural dyes can be more sensitive to heat, light, and pH changes, which can cause them to fade or change color over time. This lack of stability can be problematic for products with a longer shelf life.
- Cost: Natural dyes are typically more expensive to produce and extract compared to synthetic dyes. This cost can be a significant barrier for manufacturers, especially in high-volume production.
- Limited Color Range: While natural dyes are derived from various sources, they may not provide the full spectrum of colors that synthetic dyes can achieve. This limitation can restrict creative options for product development.
- Regulatory Approval: Some natural dyes may not have the same level of regulatory approval or safety testing as synthetic dyes. This can create uncertainty for manufacturers about their use in food products.
- Consumer Perception: While many consumers are interested in natural ingredients, a segment still prefers the bright, consistent colors produced by synthetic dyes. Overcoming established consumer expectations can be challenging.
- Shelf Stability: Natural dyes may require additional preservatives or stabilizers to maintain their color, which can complicate formulations and go against the trend toward “clean” labeling.
While there is a growing demand for natural ingredients, these challenges mean that synthetic dyes continue to dominate the food coloring market.
What Does The FDA Say?
The FDA states that it keeps a close eye on complaints of issues that might be connected to color additives and responds appropriately. At this point, the FDA concludes that there is insufficient evidence of artificial colors having a negative effect on people, particularly children. It does, however, state that the adverse effects may be due to some children being sensitive to them. So basically, the FDA passes on this burden back to the parents by advising them constantly to check the labels and limit exposure themselves if they suspect any behavioral links to their kids.
What Should Parents Do?
It goes without saying that we should all avoid processed foods as much as possible and always check for ingredient labels to see which artificial colors are inside the food we are about to consume.
When buying snacks for our kids, we should opt for brands that prioritize natural ingredients.
The FDA gives a link to its webpage where parents and consumers can submit their complaints or issues if they feel an adverse reaction to a food product. You can access the link here: Office. (2024). Report a Problem to the FDA. Retrieved November 23, 2024, from U.S. Food and Drug Administration website: https://www.fda.gov/safety/report-problem-fda
