12 Artificially Coloured Foods with Healthy Swaps (2024)

FAQs

What foods are artificially colored? ›

Artificial Coloring: Soda pop, candy, gelatin desserts, pastries, pet food, sausage. The most widely used food dye.

Sure, artificial food colorings make foods look brighter and more appealing, but at what cost? Consumer watchdog CSPI says food dyes can cause everything from hyperactivity and allergic reactions to cancer, and is calling for the government to ban three of the most common dyes.

It is a common practice to color the skins of oranges in certain orange growing areas of the country because of climatic or cultural conditions which cause the oranges to mature while still green in color.

Look for Numbers: Artificial food dyes are often listed with their designated number. For instance, Red No. 40 or Blue No. 1.

Additionally, both adults and children have reported upset stomach, migraines, jitteriness, nervousness, and inability to concentrate after a high intake of Red Dye 40. The CSPI released a report that says artificial food dyes pose a “rainbow of risks,” including everything from allergies to cancer.

Bottom Line: Some artificial food dyes, particularly Blue 1, Red 40, Yellow 5 and Yellow 6, may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.

Consumption of artificial food colours also leads to the problem of depression, memory loss and aggressiveness. Regular use of products with colour additives also leads to some serious health problems like they lead to the oxidation of fatty acids, skin irritation and congestion of kidneys.

The kinds of foods we have in our house have to be things my brother can eat and we have all been made aware of what foods contain Red Dye. Here are some examples of drinks that kids drink on regular basis that contain red dye #40: Coca Cola, Dr. Pepper, Seven Up, Gatorade, Hawaiian Punch, and Pepsi.

McCormick's Nature's Inspired Food Colors are made from plants, vegetables, and seeds. The three powdered dyes are sky blue, which is made with spirulina; berry, which is made with beet juice; and a turmeric-based shade of sunflower. The trio can be mixed in various combinations to create any color under the rainbow.

Do Doritos have Red 40? ›

Brands that use Red Dye 40 include Skittles, Doritos and Twizzlers. All food color additives, including Red Dye 40, require FDA approval. The agency says food dyes are safe when used in accordance with regulations, which stipulate types of foods they can be used in, maximum amounts and labeling requirements.

Ice cream, popsicles, and other frozen treats are obvious sources of food dyes. But your favorite yogurt might also have some red dye lurking within. Pink-colored dairy products, such as strawberry-flavored milk, can also contain red dye.

Most pickles contain dyes made from petroleum like Yellow #5 or #6 and lots of preservatives. Of course, there is no real reason to add dye to pickles, as it's just used to make them look prettier and gives us no other benefits.

Some studies mentioned by the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) have suggested that consuming high amounts of the dye may lead to an increased risk of developing cancer. However, the FDA still considers Red Dye 40 safe for consumption, and more research is needed to establish a direct causative link.

Some of the most common foods containing red dye 40 include: Soda. Energy drinks. Sports drinks (such as Gatorade).

They use the meat's color as a guideline to determine the food's freshness. But, many meat manufacturers actually inject the food with carbon monoxide to give it that fresh, reddish-pink look. Japan and Canada along with many other countries in Europe, have banned the use of carbon monoxide in meat.