Candy color cereals. Neon acidic cucumbers. Wasabi peas. Many popular foods attract the eyes of artificial colors. Artificial colors are exactly what they sound: synthetic colors used in food products to look attractive to children and adults.
Recently artificial colors have become a hot discussed topic. You may have seen that the topic appears in news or social media.
Some of what you see can be quite alarming, so it’s understandable if you wonder if some of your dietary products can be harmful to your health.
As a registered dietitian, I am here to share the facts about artificial food colors and their potential influences.
What are artificial food colors?
Artificial food colors are often obtained from oil chemicals (1).
Many artificial colors are approved by the US Food and Medicines Administration (FDA) and the European Food Safety Directorate (EFSA) for use processed foodrubber vitamins and medicines (1,, 2).
Some of the most commonly used artificial food colors (10) Include:
- Red 3 (erythrozine): Cherry-red shade.
- Red 40 (Allura red): Dark red.
- Yellow 5 (Tartrazin): Lemon-yellow color.
- Yellow 6 (sunset yellow): Orange-yellow hue.
- Blue 1 (great blue): Green-blue color.
- Blue 2 (Indigo Carmine): Royal blue.
- Green 3 (fast green): grassy green color.
The FDA has recently banned the use of Red 3 in food, supplements and oral drugs, but companies have until January 2027 or 2028. To remove colors from their products (14).
For now, both FDA and EFSA are still approved using Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1 and Blue 2 (12). Some other colors approve of one regulatory body, but not other. Red 40 is the most commonly used food color (3).
These artificial colors could appear in food like (11):
- Breakfast cereals
- Packed pastries
- Preserved fruit
- Ice cream
- Jarred acid cucumbers
- Packaged soups
- Macanics
- Candy and fruit tires
- Spices and sauces
- Cheese -flavored snack
- Acidic snacks, like a flavored popcorn and chips
- Mood and frozen drinks
- Sports drinks and non -alcoholic beverages
- Gels and glaze
Since 2010, foods with certain artificial colors in Europe bears a warning label that reads: “It may have a harmful effect on activity and attention in children” (5).
There is no equivalent labeling system in the United States. This is because there is not enough evidence to consider to be granted colors insecure, according to the FDA (12).
Potential health influences of artificial food colors
Some studies have caused possible concerns about artificial food colors. This research suggests that Artificial colors can affect the health of children’s behavior (6).
For example, a report from 2021 California OEHHA related artificial colors with behavioral problems such as hyperactivity in children (7). One review 2024. 15 Studies suggest that artificial food colors can harm health. Again these risks are even greater concerns for children (8).
Due to the research of their possible effects in behavior, California banned six artificial colors in public schools in 2024. That was known as Food Security Law in California. Since then, 11 countries have introduced a similar legislation that forbids certain foods of food and additives (15,, 16).
Eligible daily entries for these colors were set up decades ago, before the most successful research was conducted (6). Newer studies suggest that Currently acceptable daily intakes can be placed too high for childrenwhich may be more sensitive to the potential effects of food color (6).
In 2018, the report of the American Academy of Pediatrics called for security (9). Multiple research is required to fully understand the possible impact of food colors.
What does it all mean for you?
In the absence of convincing research on the possible effects of artificial health colors, You may want to consider limiting, especially if you feed your children as a precautionary measure. Fortunately, this has become easier, with many naturally colored foods enters the market.
If you want to be aware of artificial food colors
Here’s what you can do if you want to limit artificial food colors in your diet:
- Choose Whole Foods: Reduce the consumption of ultra -treated foods and focus on the diet rich in healthy, complete food. This will automatically reduce the intake of artificial food colors with an additional bonus improvement of overall health.
- Be informed: Check the food stickers. Identify colors in your food products and find or make natural alternatives.
- Teach children about healthy eating: Show them how to make a food decision. This will help them understand why you could switch to new elections for some of their snacks.
- Go naturally: Thanks to the customers who are looking for this, food products are available in most food products colored by natural ingredients. You can also experiment with natural alternatives to add color and taste at home, such as:
- Blue Spirulina (Blue)
- Red tail powder (red)
- Turmeric or carrot (orange)
- Saffron (yellow orange)
- Berries like raspberries and blueberries (pink, blue, purple)
- Red cabbage (blue)
- Matcha or spinach (green)
Each natural color will have slightly different preparatory methods. You can easily find them online. This is a fun activity for children and they see how they can paint food without using artificial colors.
By taking these steps you can help limit artificial colors for you and your family.
Artificial food colors are a hot topic for consumers who are aware of health. Some people decide to limit artificial food colors in their diet because research suggests that these colors may have unwanted effects, especially for children. More research is needed.
It may not be realistic to completely remove artificial colors from your diet. So enjoy your favorite sweets, drinks or other treats moderately, whether it has natural or artificial ingredients. It’s a balance!
Fast What kind of dietitian he wants to know about artificial colors appeared first on Myfitnesspal blog.
