Artificial Food Colors: What You Should Know

Artificial food colors are widely used throughout the U.S. food supply to enhance the visual appeal and increase consumer attraction to everyday food products. 

Although these dyes are permitted, concerns about possible health effects—particularly in young children—have driven changes in consumer habits and government policies aimed at reducing the use of artificial food colors.

Discover how to identify artificial colors on food labels and learn what to look for when seeking healthier options.

What are artificial food colors?

Artificial food dyes are synthetic chemicals used to make food products more attractive. These additives are responsible for the bright hues found in a wide array of packaged goods, including breakfast cereals, candies, baked goods, and beverages.

While primarily used in highly processed foods, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also permits specific artificial colors for use in whole foods. For example, the food industry may use them on orange peels or to maintain the fresh appearance of frozen fruits such as mangoes.

Most artificial food colors are petroleum-based and are banned in several countries due to adverse health effects. These include an increased risk of cancer development, metabolic disruptions, birth defects, organ damage, allergic reactions, and behavioral problems in children.

Although some states have banned certain color additives and adopted measures to phase out petroleum-based food dyes, many of these artificial ingredients remain in everyday food products.

Watch the video below to uncover the potential dangers of consuming synthetic color additives.

Common types of synthetic food dyes

Under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C), the FDA requires synthetic dyes to undergo batch certification for safety before they’re permitted in consumer products. 

In the U.S., each approved dye has an assigned regulatory identifier, typically the color followed by a number. Food manufacturers are required to list these specific names, or their abbreviated form, on ingredient labels so consumers can easily recognize them.

However, internationally, these same colors are often listed with the name given by the original manufacturers or by their European E-number. For example, what is labeled as Red 40 in the U.S. may appear in Europe as E129 or by its common name, Allura Red AC.

Currently, there are nine synthetic dyes authorized for use in the U.S.:

• Blue No. 1: Brilliant Blue (E133)
• Blue No. 2: Indigotine (E132)
• Green No. 3: Fast Green (E143)
• Red No. 40: Allura Red (E129)
• Red No. 3: Erythrosine (E127), U.S. phase-out ends 2027
• Yellow No. 5: Tartrazine (E102)
• Yellow No. 6: Sunset Yellow (E110)
• Citrus Red No. 2: N/A (banned in EU), authorized for coloring orange peels in the U.S.
• Orange B: N/A (banned in EU), authorized for hot dog and sausage casings in the U.S.

According to Kobylewski S, Jacobson MF. Food Dyes: A Rainbow of Risks. Center for Science in the Public Interest. 2010. https://www.cspi.org/sites/default/files/attachment/food-dyes-rainbow-of-risks.pdf released by the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), three of the nine approved dyes dominate the U.S. market. Red 40, Yellow 5, and Yellow 6 together account for roughly 90 percent of all food dye use in the U.S.

Potential concerns surrounding artificial dyes

Artificial food dyes face increasing scrutiny for potential behavioral and physiological impacts, particularly among children.

A Report Links Synthetic Food Dyes to Hyperactivity and Other Neurobehavioral Effects in Children. California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment. Published April 16, 2021. https://oehha.ca.gov/risk-assessment/press-release/report-links-synthetic-food-dyes-hyperactivity-and-other-neurobehavioral-effects-children published by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) concluded that children exhibit varying sensitivities to synthetic dyes, linking exposure to adverse neurobehavioral outcomes.

Further Warner JO. Artificial food additives: hazardous to long-term health? Arch Dis Child. 2024;109(11):882-885. https://adc.bmj.com/content/109/11/882, published in the Archives of Disease in Childhood, examined ultra-processed food additives, including azo dye food colourants (AFCs). 

The study associated high intake of these foods with disturbed behavior in children, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), cardiometabolic disease, and chronic conditions, concluding: “Based on risk/benefit analysis, azo dye AFCs should be banned.”

Synthetic food color intake has also been linked with alterations in hormone levels, gut inflammation, dysbiosis, and allergic reactions, including hives, asthma symptoms, and tissue swelling.

Federal awareness of the potential risks associated with artificial food colors has also increased under the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement. 

In an FDA HHS, FDA to Phase Out Petroleum-Based Synthetic Dyes in Nation’s Food Supply. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Published April 22, 2025. https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/hhs-fda-phase-out-petroleum-based-synthetic-dyes-nations-food-supply, the Health and Human Services (HHS) emphasizes that petroleum-based dyes offer no nutritional value while posing risks to child development. 

Consequently, federal initiatives are now working towards phasing out petroleum-derived additives while expanding industry access to natural color alternatives.

While a ban on Red No. 3 is already in effect and major food manufacturers have pledged to remove artificial colors over the coming months, many dyes remain permitted under current regulations.

For consumers, this underscores the importance of understanding ingredient labels and recognizing synthetic dyes to help reduce exposure to artificial color additives.

How to identify artificial food colors on labels

Synthetic colorants can typically be easily identified by their designated FD&C number, common name, or E-number in ingredient lists. 

Products using natural dyes will typically list naturally derived and recognizable ingredients such as beet extract, beta carotene, turmeric, or spirulina instead.

When shopping for dye-free citrus, look for labels indicating California or Arizona origin, as these states prohibit the use of artificial dyes on citrus.

Generally, choosing minimally processed foods significantly reduces the risk of consuming synthetic dyes. 

Additionally, opting for United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)-certified organic products can help reduce exposure to artificial coloring, as these products prohibit the use of synthetic, petroleum-based dyes.

Natural alternatives to artificial food dyes

While synthetic dyes lack nutritional value and are added purely to enhance appearance, natural dyes from whole foods offer both vibrant color and measurable health-supporting properties.

“Natural pigments, including carotenoids, flavonoids, anthocyanins, chlorophyll, and betalains, are more than decorative, as they’re active molecules that help support cellular health,” explains Dr. Berg.

Many of these pigments have antioxidant properties, strengthening the body’s defenses against oxidative stress and supporting healthy mitochondrial function, inflammatory balance, and metabolic health.

Common natural coloring agents currently approved include:

• Beet powder and dehydrated beets
• Grape color extract
• Paprika
• Saffron
• Turmeric
• Tomato lycopene extract
• Vegetable juice
• Fruit juice
• Butterfly pea flower extract
• Spirulina extract
• Carrot oil

Many other natural ingredients can also color foods without being classified technically as color additives. These are often listed as primary ingredients and include options such as matcha green tea powder, coffee, chlorella, dragonfruit powder, and acai.

FAQ

Sources

1. Kobylewski S, Jacobson MF. Food Dyes: A Rainbow of Risks. Center for Science in the Public Interest. 2010. https://www.cspi.org/sites/default/files/attachment/food-dyes-rainbow-of-risks.pdf 
2. Report Links Synthetic Food Dyes to Hyperactivity and Other Neurobehavioral Effects in Children. California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment. Published April 16, 2021. https://oehha.ca.gov/risk-assessment/press-release/report-links-synthetic-food-dyes-hyperactivity-and-other-neurobehavioral-effects-children
3. Warner JO. Artificial food additives: hazardous to long-term health? Arch Dis Child. 2024;109(11):882-885. https://adc.bmj.com/content/109/11/882
4. HHS, FDA to Phase Out Petroleum-Based Synthetic Dyes in Nation’s Food Supply. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Published April 22, 2025. https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/hhs-fda-phase-out-petroleum-based-synthetic-dyes-nations-food-supply