It’s no secret that vibrant, vibrant colours appeal to youngsters to meals merchandise. A big portion of kids’s cereals, drinks, and treats are good shades of the rainbow. And so they’ve change into a increasingly widespread dialogue within the media. Do you ever marvel how these meals obtained their colours?
There are a lot of uncomfortable side effects of synthetic colours that influence the protection, conduct, and well being of our kids. Listed below are the important thing issues to know.
What’s Meals Coloring Made Of?
Nearly all of these merchandise are loaded with synthetic meals dyes – artificial chemical compounds which might be made in a lab and by no means present in nature. Assume Pink No. 40, Blue No. 2, or Yellow No. 5. To high all of it off, synthetic meals colorings are normally primarily based in petroleum chemical compounds or from crude oils that aren’t naturally occurring. (1)
So why do meals firms load up youngsters’s meals merchandise with these synthetic chemical compounds? Easy. They’re cheaper than pure dyes and produce longer-lasting, brighter colours that appeal to shoppers. This interprets to higher gross sales and better earnings for meals producers.
Facet Results of Synthetic Colours

Synthetic meals dyes have been authorized by the FDA to be used in meals merchandise starting within the Sixties. To this point, there are 9 synthetic meals dyes permitted to be used within the meals provide. Whereas they’re thought-about “Typically Acknowledged As Protected” (GRAS) by the FDA (1), a number of research have recognized some uncomfortable side effects of synthetic colours to extend the danger of allergic reactions and hyperactivity in youngsters (2).
Animal research have pointed to a attainable hyperlink between sure meals dyes and most cancers, as some dyes are carcinogenic themselves or could also be contaminated with carcinogens. Clearly, given the dangers, we wouldn’t take a look at for most cancers danger in people, so no research exist. Animal research additionally pointed to a hyperlink between meals dyes and hypersensitivity or allergic reactions. (3)
Pink Dye No. 40 Facet Results
- Allergic reactions: Pink Dye No. 40 might set off allergic reactions like hives, bronchial asthma, sneezing, watery eyes, or pores and skin irritation. (4)
- Hyperactivity in youngsters: It has been linked to elevated hyperactivity in youngsters, notably these already delicate to components. (2)
- Animal research: Analysis on animals means that consuming excessive quantities of Pink Dye No. 40 might result in the sooner improvement of tumors. (5,6)
Blue Dye No. 1 and No. 2 Facet Results

- Most cancers danger: In animal research, lengthy publicity to Blue Dye No. 1 confirmed an elevated danger of most cancers in comparison with animals with out publicity. (7)
- Neurotoxicity: Some research additionally raised considerations about potential injury to the mind (neurotoxicity) from long-term publicity to Blue Dye No. 1. (8)
- Mind most cancers danger: For Blue Dye No. 2, animal research confirmed a major hyperlink between excessive doses and a larger danger of mind most cancers. (9, 10, 11, 12)
Yellow Dye No. 5 Facet Results
- Allergic reactions: Much like Pink Dye, Yellow Dye No. 5 may cause allergic reactions like hives and bronchial asthma. (13)
- Hyperactivity in youngsters: In a abstract of proof offered to the FDA in 2011, some research confirmed that youngsters consuming Yellow Dye No. 5 have been extra hyperactive than those that didn’t eat it. (14)
- Cell injury: One research advised that long-term publicity to Yellow Dye No. 5 may injury white blood cells, making them extra prone to mutate into cancerous cells. (15)
Yellow Dye No. 6 Facet Results
- Allergic reactions: Hypersensitivity to Yellow Dye No. 6 has been recorded, and it might additionally contribute to hyperactivity in youngsters. (16)
California Meals Dye Ban
Thrilling information! In September 2024, the California legislature signed a brand new invoice into regulation banning 6 meals dyes in class meals which is able to take impact December 31, 2027. The banned dyes embody:
- Pink No. 40
- Blue No. 1
- Blue No. 2
- Yellow No. 5
- Yellow No. 6
- Inexperienced No. 3
These dyes might be banned as a result of their potential damaging uncomfortable side effects together with hypersensitivity and allergic reactions, hyperactivity, and behavioral issues. (17)
As a California resident, I’m thrilled to see my state taking steps to guard our kids from the damaging results of pointless meals components! Why would we place our kids even probably in danger for a colorant that we don’t want anyway?
Coloration Components in Meals
Though we normally affiliate meals colour components with sugary treats like sweet, they are often hidden in lots of unsuspecting meals. Take a look at this checklist of stunning meals that comprise synthetic colorings! You should definitely learn the labels to find out whether or not your favourite model comprises dyes.
- Baked items
- Drinks
- Cereal
- Chewing gum
- Chips
- Condiments
- Crackers
- Flavored instantaneous oatmeal
- Granola Bars
- Ice cream
- Jello
- Lip balms
- Lunchables
- Over-the-counter medication for teenagers (like cough medicines or antihistamines)
- Pickles
- Sports activities drinks and soda
- Toothpaste and mouthwash
- Yogurt
- Nutritional vitamins
Meals dyes to keep away from
The meals dyes to keep away from or restrict their consumption are those which have talked about right here: Pink 40, Yellow 5 & 6, and blue dyes. Let’s get REAL! These colour components in meals may cause some actual hurt to your loved ones so it’s greatest to start out consuming REAL meals!
Find out how to Keep away from Meals Dyes
Let’s present our children that synthetic is OUT and REAL is in. Educate your children that tremendous children are at all times within the temper for actual meals!
Make it enjoyable by instructing your youngsters a new enjoyable reality with every wholesome colourful meals they get pleasure from. For instance, you’ll be able to educate them how NATURALLY crimson strawberries are an incredible enamel whitener. They’ve an enzyme referred to as malic acid that loosens stains on our enamel.
Having Enjoyable with Pure Colours from Meals

REAL doesn’t have to imply no enjoyable. Why not add colour naturally? Listed below are some nice pure options:
- Pink-Lipped Cherry Problem: See who can get the reddest lips and tongue from consuming frozen cherries! Cherries are naturally candy and filled with antioxidants that assist shield the physique from injury.
- Fruit Juice Popsicles: Make your personal do-it-yourself fruit juice slushies or popsicles utilizing 100% grape juice, or attempt mixing frozen berries for a naturally colourful and nutritious deal with. Not solely are they refreshing, however these colours come from nature’s personal pigments filled with phytonutrients. A few of my favourite summer time recollections embody do-it-yourself grape juice pops!
- Colourful Teas for the Win: Purple, pink, or orange—experiment with naturally colourful natural or fruit teas, good for heat or iced drinks. These enjoyable drinks make nice options to artificially coloured drinks whereas constructing wholesome habits that shield in opposition to illnesses, together with most cancers, later in life.
- Nature’s Paintbrush: Educate your children how vegatables and fruits like beets, spinach, carrots, and turmeric can naturally colour meals like do-it-yourself cupcakes, smoothies, or pasta. Youngsters may even “paint” their meals by adorning cookies with fruit puree or vegetable-based pure dyes.
- Blueberry Smile Contest: Have a “blue tooth” contest and see whose enamel and tongue can get the bluest from consuming frozen blueberries. Bonus—blueberries assist increase mind energy and maintain hearts wholesome! Invite your children to find new meals, embark on tasty adventures, and luxuriate in enjoyable actions impressed by nature’s vibrant colours with the Tremendous Crew books for teenagers.

Actual meals, actual enjoyable, and actual well being advantages! Assist your youngsters uncover that the colourful colours of nature will be simply as thrilling as synthetic ones, whereas additionally supporting their total well being and improvement.
Facet Results of Synthetic Colours: Fundamental Take Aways
Unintended effects of synthetic colours usually may cause hyperactivity and hypersensitivity which will come from a meals dye allergy. When consumed in giant quantities over a protracted time period, meals dyes can begin to trigger hurt to you and your youngsters since they’re extra delicate to the uncomfortable side effects of synthetic colours. It could be greatest to keep away from meals dyes as a lot as attainable to reduce the dangerous results.
Don’t cease at meals colorings, have them search for different meals components that sound like alien phrases and are unusual and laborious to pronounce –as a result of they’re normally not actual meals substances! For extra data on the hazards of synthetic meals dyes, take a look at our advised complete assessment of the topic: Meals Dyes, A Rainbow of Dangers.