What are Artificial Food Dyes?

A recent FDA ban of Red Dye No. 3 (also known as erythrosine) has left many people wondering how safe these additives are.

What Are Artificial Food Dyes?

Artificial Food dyes are used in thousands of different foods — ranging from candy to cereal to fruit products — and they’re used to make them look more scrumptious.

Artificial food dyes are synthetic chemicals derived from petroleum, designed to be more vibrant and stable.

• FD&C Blue No. 1, which is found in candy, beverages, cereals, frozen dairy desserts, popsicles, frostings, and icings
• FD&C Blue No. 2, which is found in baked goods, cereals, snack foods, ice cream, candy, and some fruit-flavored yogurt
• FD&C Green No. 3, which is found in cereal, ice cream and sherbet, drink mixers, and baked goods
• Orange B, which is used in hot dog and sausage casings
• Citrus Red No. 2, which is only approved for use to color orange peels
• FD&C Red No. 40, which is found in cereal, beverages, gelatins, puddings, some dairy products, and candy
• FD&C Yellow No. 5, which is found in candy, cereals, snack foods, beverages, condiments, baked goods, and some fruit-flavored yogurt.
• FD&C Yellow No. 6, which is found in cereals, snack foods, baked goods, gelatins, beverages, dessert powders, crackers, and sauces.

Surprise: While it’s no shock that blue sports drink or a rainbow-colored bag of candy would contain food dye, even more wholesome fare may contain enhanced coloring.

Produce is sometimes color-added to correct natural variations in color.

• Even foods like strawberry applesauce are examples of foods that contain synthetic food coloring for this reason.
• Some oranges are sprayed with artificial dyes to make them look more appealing, especially if they’re naturally green but sold as ripe.”

Safety and Health Factors:

1. Cancer

While the FDA’s ban seemed alarming, Red Dye No. 3 was not banned. Regarding other artificial food colorings, the FDA has knowledge of the possible links to cancer.

2. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

The research on the connection between attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and food dyes is mixed — and often based on anecdotal observations from parents or caregivers. One report confirmed long-standing suspicions that synthetic food dyes may cause hyperactivity and other neurobehavioral issues for some kids.

3. Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Some research has shown that certain food dyes, such as Red 40, may contribute to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), a group of chronic conditions that include ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.

4. Allergies

It is possible to be allergic to food dyes, both synthetic and natural. There are case reports that of the red color additives currently used, Citrus Red, Red No. 3, and Red No. 40 are the dyes recognized for triggering allergic reactions.

Food Dyes and impact on weight loss:

Food dye in what you’re eating has an impact on what the scale is telling you — it’s the calories. Food colorings are often found in unhealthy ultra-processed foods. Unlike whole and minimally processed foods, ultra-processed items are made mostly from substances extracted from foods, such as fats, starches, added sugars, and hydrogenated fats. Some examples are candies, cakes, cereals, and potato chips.

Foods high in sugar and/or fat generally add extra calories to the diet. They are also often calorie-dense — candy bars, cupcakes, pastries, sodas, etc. — meaning small amounts have a lot of calories, and they can easily be overconsumed.

• There’s another reason why food dyes may contribute to weight gain. Some studies suggest artificial dyes may disrupt gut microbiota, potentially affecting metabolism and appetite regulation. Since they are mostly found in foods that offer little nutritional benefit, it could be beneficial for people to avoid these products to improve their general health. And even if your goodies contain natural food dyes, they aren’t used in large enough amounts to offer any health benefits.

To find out whether or not a packaged food you’re eating contains the food dyes listed above, here’s how to scan the ingredient label:

• Start from the top. The ingredient statement will need to list all ingredients in order from greatest to least amount.
• Look for the term “FD&C.” The manufacturer must list the names of any FDA-certified color additive. For example, that would be FD&C Blue No. 2 or the abbreviated term, Blue 2.
• Scan for other clues. Some artificial and natural colors are not always listed by name on the packaging due to proprietary formulations However the words ‘artificial colors’, ‘artificial color added,’ or ‘color added’ are sometimes used.
• Other ways to minimize the consumption of food dye include eating more whole foods, buying organic foods, and drinking more water.

I offer complimentary health consultations on customized healthy eating plans, check out our website….