For over a century, synthetic food dyes have been adding vibrant hues to candy, cereals, beverages, and processed snacks. From bright red gummy bears to neon blue sodas, these artificial colors make food visually appealing—especially to children. But behind their eye-catching glow lies a complicated and often controversial history, with growing concerns about potential health risks.
The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) currently approves nine synthetic dyes for use in food, with Red 40, Yellow 5, and Yellow 6 being the most common. These dyes are derived from petroleum and are cheaper and more stable than natural colorants. Numerous studies have questioned their safety, especially regarding their effects on children’s behavior, allergies, and even cancer risk.
In the European Union, many artificial dyes carry warning labels advising that they "may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children." In the U.S., food labels do not carry such warnings, leaving consumers largely unaware of the controversy brewing over their favorite colorful treats.
The Science Behind Food Dye Risks
Artificial dyes have been linked to a range of health concerns, ranging from serious to headaches, but the strongest evidence relates to their impact on behavior in children. A landmark 2007 study published in The Lancet found that children who consumed certain artificial colors and the preservative sodium benzoate showed increased hyperactivity compared to those who did not. This research prompted the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) to reevaluate its stance on synthetic dyes, leading to the mandatory warning labels still required today in Europe.
In the United States, the FDA reviewed the same data but concluded there was insufficient evidence to ban or label synthetic dyes. Subsequent studies have reinforced concerns. A 2012 analysis by the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) found that Red 40, Yellow 5, and Yellow 6—all among the most widely used dyes—were contaminated with benzidine and other carcinogens. Even at low levels, these contaminants raise questions about long-term cancer risk.
A 2021 review in Environmental Health noted that the average American child consumes significantly more artificial food dye than they did in the 1950s—an estimated 68 milligrams per day compared to just 12 milligrams then. With synthetic dyes in everything from breakfast cereals to toothpaste, cumulative exposure could be more concerning than previously thought.
The Worst Offenders: Dyes to Watch Out For
While all synthetic dyes come with some level of controversy, certain colors stand out as especially problematic based on existing data.
- Red 40: The most widely used dye in the U.S., found in everything from sodas to snack cakes. Red 40 has been linked to hyperactivity in children and may contain trace levels of carcinogenic contaminants.
- Yellow 5: Common in candy, gelatin desserts, and chips, this dye is associated with allergic reactions, particularly in people sensitive to aspirin. It has also been implicated in behavioral issues.
- Yellow 6: Found in cheese products, baked goods, and desserts, Yellow 6 has also been shown to contain traces of cancer-causing substances.
By contrast, natural colorings like beet juice, turmeric, and spirulina are generally considered safe, though they may be less vibrant and more expensive for manufacturers to use.
RFK versus Food Dyes
Concerns about artificial food dyes date back to the 1970s, when Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s family became involved in the movement to regulate food additives. Inspired in part by the work of Dr. Benjamin Feingold, a pediatrician who linked artificial colors to hyperactivity in children, the Kennedy family supported efforts to bring more public attention to the issue.
RFK Jr. has since continued to advocate for cleaner food policies, citing synthetic dyes as an example of how the food industry prioritizes profit over public health. While his activism spans many environmental and health causes, his stance on food dyes aligns with a broader push for transparency and safer alternatives in processed foods.
What Can Consumers Do?
In the absence of clear warnings on food labels in the U.S., the responsibility falls largely on consumers to read ingredient lists and make informed choices. Parents of children with attention disorders or behavioral sensitivities may want to minimize artificial dye consumption as a precaution.
Public pressure has led some companies to respond voluntarily. Major brands like Kraft, General Mills, and Nestlé have reformulated some products to use natural colorants instead of synthetic dyes. Many brightly colored foods still rely heavily on artificial dyes, particularly in lower-cost processed products.
In general, the science suggests it’s worth thinking twice before reaching for that rainbow-colored snack.
Sources:
- McCann, D., Barrett, A., Cooper, A., et al. (2007). Food additives and hyperactive behaviour in 3-year-old and 8/9-year-old children in the community: a randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial. The Lancet, 370(9598), 1560-1567.
- Center for Science in the Public Interest (2012). Food Dyes: A Rainbow of Risks. Retrieved from https://cspinet.org/resource/food-dyes-rainbow-risks
- Stevens, L., Kuczek, T., Burgess, J., et al. (2014). Mechanisms of Behavioral, Atopic, and Other Reactions to Artificial Food Colors in Children. Nutrition Reviews, 72(5), 268-281.
- Environmental Health (2021). Dietary exposure to synthetic food dyes and behavioral outcomes in children: a systematic review. Retrieved from https://ehjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12940-021-00790-0
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2957945/
- https://ehjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12940-022-00849-9
