Artificial food dyes are unfortunately in quite a lot of processed foods. I've already shared all the reasons I hate them, but today I want to share the names of the FDA-approved dyes so you can look for (and hopefully avoid) them in food products.
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Note: This is the "currently approved" list because, unsettling enough, the approval status does change.
The following FD&C color additives are either no longer authorized or restricted for use - that’s right the FDA once thought these seven food dyes were “safe” but have since changed their minds: Green 1, Green 2, Red 1, Red 2, Red 3 (still used in food, but no longer in cosmetics or external drugs), Red 4, and Violet 1. In fact, if you look at food, drugs and cosmetics in total there are 91 different dyes that were once approved and are now no longer authorized or restricted for use.
In the UK artificial dyes are allowed for use, but require a warning label stating, “May have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children." So, as a result, food companies have mostly switched to natural dyes in order to avoid slapping a warning label on their packages.
Even though these dyes are still widely used in the US, I did find this statement on the FDA website, "Exposure to food and food components, including AFC [artificial food colors] and preservatives, may be associated with behavioral changes, not necessarily related to hyperactivity, in certain susceptible children with ADHD and other problem behaviors, and possibly in susceptible children from the general population."
I'd also like to share a link to a really interesting science experiment conducted by a kid who tested the effects of yellow dye in mice. The results are rather astounding...click to see for yourself!
Artificial Dyes Found in Surprising Places
What was once reserved for colorful, celebratory cake frosting is now lurking on almost every shelf in the grocery store. In fact, consumption of food dyes has increased 5-fold since 1955 (up from 3 million to 15 million pounds per year) - 90% of which is from Yellow 5, Yellow 6, and Red 40. This is one of the many reasons why the argument that we grew up eating this stuff and turned out "just fine" doesn't hold up - processed food has changed (and continues to change) since we were kids.
So nowadays unless you shop somewhere like Whole Foods or Earth Fare (supermarkets that don't allow products with artificial dyes), get ready to do some label reading in order to avoid the above list on your next shopping trip.
Below are some examples where we found artificial food dyes. They are not just found in neon colored beverages and brightly colored candies - all of the following (even including brown cereal, whole-wheat pizza crust, and white icing!) are examples of packaged products that contain artificial dyes:
Have you found artificial dyes lurking in surprising places? Please let us know in the comments below.
Angela says
In response to the vitamin question - Shaklees vitamins are free of all artificial dyes, preservatives, sweeteners and flavors. I give them to my kids and they love them.
I've seen dyes in prescription medications and there is no alternative. I think that's criminal!
Lisa says
Chex mix! Why, I wonder.
Anita @ Losing Austin says
I've only made serious changes in diet about 3 months ago, and when people ask me how hard it is or how I keep it up, I point back to education every time. When you start getting educated through amazing resources like yours, it isn't so hard to make the right choices anymore. (Now if only I could get my picky junk food husband to agree!)
Thank you for the inspiration to continue to make changes, by providing the info that makes the need so clear.
~Anita
Mary says
I am confused on the Red 3. On the slide you have pictured it is listed as one of the approved ones, but in the paragraph below it says Red 3 is not approved. Please let me know which one is correct, unless I am reading it all wrong. Thanks!
Lisa says
Thank you for pointing that out. Red 3 is still used in food, but no longer allowed in cosmetics or external drugs. I've added that note.
Ren says
My daughter also is reactive to all the dyes, especially red. Thank you for continuing to bring these topics to people's attention. The more we put the right thing out there, the more informed people will be and hopefully make better and positive food choices. Many thanks!
Anne says
My Kraft Cracker Barrel Cheese has the ingredient "colour" listed. It does not specify whether it is artificial or natural. I see this on a lot of other products as well. Can I assume this is artificial? Thanks for making us think about our food.
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi Anne. So, it is spelled c-o-l-o-u-r? Are you in the US? It is safer to assume that it is artificial but I am having trouble referencing that spelling in US brands. Let me know. ~Amy
Anne says
Yes, that's the Canadian spelling. I live in Canada. I called Kraft and they advised that the Kraft Cracker Barrel Cheese contains both natural and artificial colour.
Anna says
Breads, canned biscuits and croissants, and toothpaste. Ugh.
ryba says
Toothpaste? I'll be checking as soon as I get home!
Kim says
Yep, all our Crest and Aquafresh had the dyes! Now we have Tom's. All my girls Suave shampoo had dye too :(
Anna says
Yep, especially kid toothpaste. We use Tom's. Burt's bees has a dye free one as well. There are several others but those two are really easy to find at most stores.
Christine says
Can someone recommend a good children's vitamin that would be similar to a Flinstone first step vitamin?
Kristin says
Sorry, it is hard to find a children's vitamin, that isn't synthetic, is artificial color free AND low in sugar. Even the artificial dye free gummy vitamins recommended by this website contain nearly a teaspoon of sugar per serving. My pediatrician recommends that my children take a vitamin D supplement because we live in a northern climate. So, I gave up gummies and switched to a vitamin D drop that I add to water. It is called Yum Yum D3 Liquid and I get it at whole foods.
http://www.amazon.com/Yum-D3-0-9-fl-Liquid/dp/B002J0RF2U
Vitamins are tricky, even adult ones often contain artificial color in the coating.
Emily says
Some Equate (Walmart brand) and Disney vitamins are without artificial dyes.
Christine says
Thank you for the input ladies! I need to get some for my 2 year old. I never even considered this.
RuthW says
We get L'il Critters gummy vites and Omega 3s from CostCo. They use fruit extracts for coloring, but look and taste great.
Rachel says
We also use Gummy Vites. We get them from BJs.
Michelle says
We use Whole Foods chewable children's vitamins.
Kate says
After I noticed the Yellow 5 in pickles last month, I searched for non-dye pickles. Found several kinds at Whole Foods and Fresh Market but sadly, they all taste horrible! Specifically, the dill varieties all taste sweet- similar to the "Bread and Butter" variety that I think tastes awful. They don't taste dill at all. Any recommendations on a dill pickle/relish brand that actually tastes good?
Kristin says
I would highly recommend making your own refrigerator pickles, especially in the summer,(super easy!) or buying pickles at your local farmer's market (most vendors have free samples).
For brine: combine 3 cups water with 2-3 tbs of kosher salt, 6 tbs of white vinegar, stir until dissolved.
Cut 2-3 full size cucumbers in slices or spears. Layer cucumbers in a dish or bowl (Corningware works well) with sprigs of fresh dill.
Pour brine over cucumbers and grate 1-2 cloves of garlic on top.
Cover and refrigerate 2 days before eating.
Rebekah Williams says
Nice! Will these taste roughly like hamburger dills?
Kristin says
Yes. My girlfriend found this recipe when trying to replicate the crunchy dill slices served at our favorite burger restaurant. My husband, a Chicago native, prefers pickle spears, especially when served alongside a hotdog with the works.
Lisa E. says
This pickle recipe was awesome... I've been trying to find a good dill recipe and this is by far the best. The dill was even home grown. Thanks for sharing.
heather says
Trader Joe's actually sells a jar for 2.29! And they taste exactly the same.
julie says
The argument that we grew up just fine always drives me crazy. We have, now more than ever, ADD, ADHD, Autism, obesity, cancers, etc that we have to deal with. The sudden spike in numbers is not just a coincidence and matches perfectly with the "crap" we ate that made us turn out just fine. :)
I found it in cheerios, rice crispies, some other "healthier" cereals. UGH!!
Kate says
Is there a non-dye alternative to Children's Motrin??
Judy says
Yes, there's a dye-free of Children's Motrin.
Judy says
*version* Sorry! Typing too fast.
Anna says
Target brands have dye free versions. I've noticed it's much harder to find dye free versions of children's tylonel.
Kristin says
Dye free children's tylonel used to be sold at Target before the big recall, a few years back and I haven't seen it since. I switched to ibuprofen, and have found dye free in the Target brand, Walgreen's brand and Advil.
Laura says
If you have a Kroger chain grocery nearby (King Soopers, Fred Meyer... not sure what else in their chain), they sell a dye free version of children's Tylenol.
Crystal says
I reccomend the Little Remedies. They have a whole line of children's medicine that is HFCS and artificial color/flavor free. They are resonably priced and if you go to their website you print a coupon!
Carrie says
I found it in pillsbury crescent rolls, why would they need to add Red 40 to those. Not that they are something that we are eating any longer. My mom actually used the excuse that I grew up just fine on what she fed me. She doesn't understand why we are changing what we eat and has told me she doesn't know what she will fix when we visit. It is just hard for some people to grasp this concept, if only they did a little research like my husband and I have done. Thank you for inspiring me to feed family real food!!
Janet says
A friend of mine and her son are both very allergic to red dyes- so, of course she reads the labels on absolutely everything! I was shocked when she told me that they are now adding dyes to soaps, shampoos, and other cosmetics. I had never even thought of looking on the ingredient list of those sorts of products. So, it isn't just limited to what we eat but also what we use on our bodies. One company that I was really shocked with is Bath & Body Works that has recently started to ADD these dyes to their products. I thought companies were trying to go back to being more "natural" and removing harmful dyes and chemicals from their products. Definitely not the case! So, make sure you read, read, read all the labels on EVERYTHING that you buy!
ryba says
What really gets to me is the food coloring in dog food/treats. Aren't dogs color blind? It's incredibly unfortunate that the pet food industry is so poorly regulated. You ASSUME it's safe for your pet because it's on a store shelf. Very upsetting for someone who considers their dog as their only child!
Susan Hallwachs says
My son is very sensitive to red dye 40. He vomits violently, to the point of bleeding. I found that it is in vitamins, cough drops, and other medications. You will be amazed when you start keeping track. You have to check EVERYTHING!!
RaeLee says
A couple of years ago my 2 year old son started getting hives all over his body. After doing an extensive elimination diet to try to ferret out the culprit we were left with no answers. I was sensitive to red dye when I was a child (severe hyperactivity after eating red popsicles) so I dug into this and found that the Benadryl that we were giving him to keep the hives at bay contained Red #40 and was actually the cause of the hives. Switched to dye-free and haven't had issues since.
Kala M. says
We were surprised when we found Yellow 5 & 6 in dill pickles and Doritos. Then my husband told me he had Yellow 5 in his body wash. I couldn't believe it. Why is that necessary? For Easter I made a pie using Dream Whip and White Chocolate Jello pudding (both Kraft products) and they both have yellow 5. Ummmm Dream whip doesn't even look yellow so why is it added. The pudding is kind of an off white but I don't see why you would need to make it that color. It's white chocolate it can stay white.
Megan says
Your website is wonderful! I have learned a lot about what's in our food and recently wondered if I need to worry if a product says "spices." From my own cooking I know I often use a small amount of a particular spice compared with the amount of veggies, meat, grain, etc. so I wondered if listing "spices" is allowed because the relative quantity is small. And if by spices the company means pepper, turmeric, garlic and other spices that I use in my own cooking, I'm fine with that. I just want to make sure "they" are not hiding anything with this word. Thanks in advance for your help!
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi Megan. "Spices" on an ingredient list SHOULD only refer to true herbs and spices. Nothing chemical. That is the rule...
~Amy
Dynamics says
Pickles....Oh nooooo... Not my pickles. This is sure an eye opener. I now have my magnifying glass in my purse! When I was told I could not have red dye I was shocked at how many items have red dye (especially since my favorite color is purple). Even more shocked since finding your site. No wonder our country has so much illness etc. Thank you. for all you do.
debbie says
I found it in pie crust and crescent rolls the other day. They are not even colored items so why the need for food die?
Karen says
I have not had problems finding dye-free children's medicine, but I cannot find similar things for adults (i.e., acetaminophen, ibuprophen or pseudoephedrine). Are there such things?
Deborah says
Any thoughts on a substitute for Motrin? I read the ingredients for all the fever reducers and they all seem to have a dye in them! We only use it for the extreme cases, most of the time we focus homeopathic wise to help the body fight whatever infection is going on. but still, in those cases when we need something...
Jennifer says
Children's Advil does not contain dye, or at least it is also available without dye.
Kari says
Kroger has a dye free acetomenophian (I know I speller that wrong!) It has sucralose in it but I'll take a little of that over red 40 any day! I've also gotten dye free ibuprofean at Target. It was their Up brand. Good luck!
Julie says
So as I am reading this I am munching on 'Cracker Barrel Cheddar Cheese Cracker Cuts' (Kraft). I took a look at the back and "Annato (Color)" is listed as an ingredient. Ever heard of this?
Jennifer says
Annato is a natural coloring. It is plant based. I still try to avoid it because sometimes it's unnaturally extracted, but it's not synthetic.
ryba says
WIKIPEDIA: In commercial processing, annatto coloring is extracted from the reddish pericarp which surrounds the seed of the achiote (Bixa orellana L.). Historically, it has been used as coloring in many cheeses (e.g., Cheddar, Gloucester, Red Leicester), cheese products (e.g. American cheese, Velveeta), and dairy spreads (e.g. butter, margarine). Annatto can also be used to color a number of non-dairy foods such as rice, custard powder, baked goods, seasonings, processed potatoes, snack foods, breakfast cereals and smoked fish. It has been linked to cases of food-related allergies.
Laurie says
Caramel color should be on the list too. EVERYTHING has some kind of color to be more appealing to the eye. Have you seen the Gatorade with the color - it looks so weird because we are used to seeing the pretty colors..lol. It is scary what is in the food we eat. Convenience unfortunately usually wins over for most people. I need a personal chef! :)
Jennifer says
Some caramel color is naturally derived.
Rachel says
It's a bummer you can't tell from the label if it is the natural version or not though... Back when I was nursing my son and he had a casein-sensititity, I had to avoid caramel color and flavor. One because of a possibility of dairy/casein and the other because CPSI had it on their "avoid" list. Obviously I still can't remember which was which, so I just try to avoid them both.
Shelly says
Thank you so much for this info. It could not be more timely for me--one of my children was just diagnosed ADHD and the other was identified as possibly having sensory processing disorder. It's scary how prevalent these dyes and sodium benzoate are in processed food. We are making the switch to organic, real foods and have thrown out anything in our pantry and fridge with dyes.
Laurie says
I definitely have seen a link between the colors and the ADHD. I bet you will see an improvement in your child's behavior, etc when the switch is complete! Good luck, and let us know how it goes. :)
Shelly says
Laurie,
Thank you for the encouraging words! I am so helpful we can get my daughter's ADHD under control with just diet alone. We mainly eat organic, real foods already but I wasn't considering things like medicines and there were a few "treats" we kept that of course had the dyes. I had not even thought of toothpaste! Just read that on this thread and sure enough, her toothpaste has blue dye. Heading to the store today to buy replacement toothpastes!
Rebeca says
Thanks for the information. Since you've dedicated a lot of time and research into this can I request a follow-up article stating some that are dye-free? I'm new to the "healthy" lifestyle; or rather, my eyes have recently been open up to what is truly healthy. I've really concentrated on myself and allowed my son some leeway, but am learning I'm doing him a disservice (and it's showing in some attention issues at school- he's 5). However, I'm an extremely overwhelmed single mom with a fulltime job who would love some short cuts, or good places to start to make the switch to healthier eating. I shop a lot at Trader Joes, but I'm already aware that they still have a lot of "enriched" foods that aren't healthy. Could you perhaps share your "go-to" list for quick snacks/meals that a 5 year old would be all over?
Thanks! Keep fighting this important fight!
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi Rebecca. Thanks so much for your input. Here are a few posts that might help you with your go-to list: https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2012/07/31/85-snacks-for-kids-and-adults/, https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2012/04/19/school-lunch-roundup/, and https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2012/09/04/school-lunch-roundup-ii/. Also, take time to comb through the recipe index and pick out some meals that you know will work for you. Best of luck!! ~Amy
Robin says
It's fairly east to avoid the whole artificial issue at home because we're eating real food. The problem is everywhere else, and it's hard to avoid eating altogether in other people's homes or in restaurants. And as others have stated, in medicines and vitamins as well. Lots of good information, thanks.
Sarah says
My daughter gets bad eczema on her face and hands from Red 40. I figured it out at a time when we were eating a new brand of raspberry jelly. Once I cut everything out I thought of, she cleared up quite a bit, but was still having problems. I read a forum online and checked a few things. Sure enough, our buttercream frosting and her toothpaste contained Red 40. I just buy Tom's toothpaste now. The kids like the strawberry flavor and there are no artificial dyes or flavors. It is really difficult to find dye-free children's liquid medicines. It's especially frustrating when I am trying to buy medicine to treat her allergic reaction to Red 40 and most of them contain that very ingredient!
Courtney @ FamilyGoneHealthy says
My 5 month old daughter had a fever last night and I was so mad when I got the bottle of children's tylenol and saw artificial dyes in it! It was the first time I had to give her any medicine and I felt horrible putting that into her body. For her next dose, we ran to the drugstore and got the dye-free version (which had HFCS in it still!). It is very frustrating.
Jennifer says
Agreed...and I haven't found an alternative at Whole Foods as far as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. I get Advil brand because of no dyes, but it's for 6+ months. I do not use acetaminophen anymore because of the ingredients. Just ridiculous. So unnecessary.
Rachel says
More frustrating still... Children's Benadryl... My husband found and bought a dye free version of that, but when he brought it home we realized it had aspertame in it. I hated to have him return it and keep the other... I figure a known carcinogen is worse than the artificial dye since my kids don't appear to have a reaction to them. Just another reason to hope my kids don't have an allergic reaction to something. SOOOO frustrating!!!
Yamel says
Awhile back I bought my son the off brand of flinstone kid vitamins and as I began to learn about dyes and sweetners I was surprise to what I had discovered on the ingredients. These vitamins also contained aspartame. Immediately I threw them away and found other gummy vitamins that did not contain these ingredients.
Ever since I've joined your blog I have learned about these ingredients and began to research these items. THANK YOU so much for what you are doing and passing the word out to people and these food companies.
Dennis says
I have been diligently checking labels and not buying anything with dyes. I was surprised about the pickles. Really, do we need to colour a pickle?
I have a set of Wilton cake food colorings here - I assume those are nasty as well? I will toss them out and find alternatives for desserts.
Carrie says
I'm trying to eliminate artificial dyes from our diets as well, but I'm missing the fun that comes with decorating their cakes and other foods ... what about green food for St. Patrick's Day? Red and Green for Christmas? I would love some suggestions on how to otherwise color food for fun!
Sarah says
I've used this website as a guide for natural food dye. Colors are not as bright, but good enough!
http://itsybitsyfoodies.com/natural-buttercream-frosting-dyes/
Sarah says
Also, here:
http://itsybitsyfoodies.com/rainbow-cake-with-natural-dyes-for-the-dailybuzz-moms-9x9/
Critical Reader says
Carrie, why do cookies and cakes need to be colorful? It is all a matter of what you are used to. Make an experiment and do a google picture search with "christmas cookies" and "Weihnachtsplaetzchen". Those American cookies just freak me out...
ryba says
WOW... just WOW!
I happen to love Vitafusion MultiVites for adults and according to their claims, they "provide an essential daily formula in a delicious gummy vitamin. They are specially formulated for adults and contain only natural colors and award-winning flavors."
But of course they have a disclaimer reading "This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration."
Maureen says
Oh my goodness..this is so sad. To think of all the dyes we have been injecting. I am very upset about this. Thank you for your informative post. You guys are the best!
Steph says
When we started limiting food dyes in our kids years ago, I was shocked to discover all the hidden dyes. Now, mind you, we still had not switched over to a more whole foods diet yet, but we were working on it. My DH is an extremely picky eater, so it's been a slow process, but it's getting better. I remember being shocked to find boxed chocolate pudding mix has red #40 in it.
Emily says
Great post, and so timely! I'm getting ready to plan my daughters first birthday party and I'm looking in to getting natural food coloring. I was just wondering if you've tried any and could recommend a certain kind? Thanks!!
Lisa says
Emily - I have tried these India Tree Dyes before (available on Amazon and at Whole Foods)...they will help you achieve more of a pale color as opposed to super bright. We used them one year then just opted for colorful strawberries and blueberries on top of my daughter's cake the following year! :) http://www.amazon.com/India-Tree-Natural-Decorating-3-Count/dp/B001EQ5BXA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1365088945&sr=8-1&keywords=india+tree+dyes
Lindsey says
Beet root powder makes a lovely color for eggs and frosting/cakes. It is pricey but versatile :)
Debbie Mc says
I've been making my kids' bday cakes with no artificial dyes for 2 years now, and I've learned that they'll never be as brilliant as the artificials. With that in mind, I plan the cake around that. There are some naturally colored candies that have some pretty bright colors (organic jelly beans and lollipops, licorice, some shades of Sundrops which is an organic m&m type candy, so I'll use those. Fruits and berries are good too, and there are lots of adorable printable banners and such that can be put on a cake using skewers that add something special. Not edible, but still cute. :) We gotta work with what we've got!
Sara says
I just make chocolate icing for my kids' birthday cakes. I figure it should be the 'color' of it's taste! :)
Laura M says
Mini Marshmallows = Blue 1
ryba says
Seriously... Mini Marshmallows?? The food industry has to be kidding us all!
Kristin says
I was ticked when I discovered that one last month. I knew I was getting corn syrup (yuck) but blue dye, really? Sadly that was the first artificially dyed food I brought into the house this year. I use marshmallows about twice a year, Grasshopper pie on St Patrick's Day and s'mores while camping. I guess Marshmallows are another whole Foods only item now. I contemplated making my own a few years ago, but all the recipes I've found call for corn syrup, sigh.
heather says
Walmart's Great Value brand actually has no dye. Guess they aren't worried about how "white" they look but side by side they look identical to the brand name marshmallows WITH the blue dye.
Alison says
Aldo's marshmallows do not have food dye either. We use them for camping...
Alison says
Aldi's (autocorrect)
Sally says
The only one that surprised me was the pickles.
ryba says
That was a huge surprise on my end too!! Seems like you have to read the back of EVERYTHING now.
Jennifer says
I have not found ANY pickles that are acceptable for my family, not even at Whole Foods. So my husband just makes them. It's pretty easy, actually!
Sara says
Actually, Claussen in the refrigerated section of the grocery is a brand that doesn't have artificial color. It took me a while to find one that didn't. But... if you are able to make them, even better!:)
Jennifer says
Claussen has a preservative in it (Sodium benzoate I'm pretty sure), and also something else we are not okay with. They all do, even the ones at Whole Foods, or if they don't, we don't like them. I really miss pickles and Claussens were my favorite!
Amy C says
Wow- this is eye opening for me. Thank you for posting! It never crossed my mind to check multivitamins but it makes sense. Do you buy any multivitamins for your kids? If so, what brand? This website has been so helpful and motivational for my family and I to get started on real food.
Stacey says
Amy, we found some great gummy Minnie and Mickey Mouse vitamins with no artificial colors at Costco. Also, any multivitamin you can find at Whole Foods or Trader Joes would not contain artificial coloring.
ryba says
WOW… just WOW!
I happen to love Vitafusion MultiVites for adults and according to their claims, they “provide an essential daily formula in a delicious gummy vitamin. They are specially formulated for adults and contain only natural colors and award-winning flavors.â€
But of course they have a disclaimer reading “This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.â€
Jennifer says
I get multivitamins for my kids at Whole Foods (so, no artificial anything. More expensive but WORTH IT). Although I don't think my adult ones have dyes (they are not colored) I will be checking the label nonetheless. I am usually very vigilant about avoiding all artificial dyes, but I tend to be much more vigilant when my kids will be ingesting whatever it is...so I should remember this when buying vitamins for my husband or me!
Lindsey says
Little Critters Critters Gummy Vites are colored with vegetable extract.
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi Amy. This is Lisa's perspective on vitamins: https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2012/09/13/why-my-kids-dont-take-vitamins/. ~Amy
Scott says
This is a great place to start! Please note that there are labeling loopholes so that artificial ingredients don't have to be on the label. If they are an ingredient to an ingredient - they don't have to be listed. So Red #40 added to strawberries which are then added to yogurt doesn't need to list the Red #40 on the label. The best way is to buy organic fresh food and "process" it yourself :)
Lisa says
Scott - Can you please share your source for that information? It's my understanding that it has to be stated (even if it is part of another ingredient as you mentioned).
Jason Leake with 100 Days of Real Food says
Here are the FDA rules on food labeling:
http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?fr=101.4
Jill says
i would like to know if this is a fact. My kids have a reaction to food red food dyes. I want to know if I should cut out more foods if this is the case. They randomly breakout to other foods that do not say they have dye. I just wonder if that's what's going on. Like if ut says tomato concentrate as an ingredient but lists no dye on the lable ?
Critical Reader says
It is a grey area. Regulation defines the following exemption: "Substances that have no technical or functional effect but are present in a food by reason of having been incorporated into the food as an ingredient of another food, in which the substance did have a functional or technical effect." (CFR 101.100(3) i)
So, when does a sub-ingredient has a functional or technical effect? MSG always, preservatives & food dyes only sometimes. I do not know how the law is interpreted in the US, but just looking at ingredient labels, (so far) US companies are pretty thorough with their labelings. As a comparison, sub-ingredients are listed in the US which no European manufacturer would disclose - most likely due to over-sensitized consumers who avoid additives ("natural" or not) like the plague.