There’s No Reason to Dye

In The Red: Red Dye No. 3 (erythrosine) is a food coloring chemical that has been used in USA food products since the 1960s. It has no nutritional benefits and is used to make foods look more appealing. In 1990, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) banned its use in cosmetics and topical drugs after studies indicated that the dye caused cancer in animals.

Despite these findings, its use in food and ingested drugs continued for several decades. On January 16, 2025, the FDA announced a ban on Red Dye No. 3 in foods, beverages, oral drugs & dietary supplements due to the same carcinogenic concerns. Manufacturers are required to reformulate their products by January 15, 2027, for food items, and by January 18, 2028, for ingested drugs, to comply with this ban.

But, you don’t have to wait! Just read the ingredients of all the foods that you buy for yourself and your family and stop eating Red Dye No. 3, today!

Chemical Colors People Eat: Below is a list of manufactured/laboratory chemicals that companies put in processed foods. These chemicals have no nutritional value and are used to make foods look more appealing.

These chemical colors can be found in cereals, baked goods (e.g., breads, cakes), candies, beverages, dairy-products & medications.

From canned, to boxed, to frozen, if it has an ingredient label, read it to find out which chemical dyes you are eating.

• FD&C Blue No. 1 (Brilliant Blue FCF)

• FD&C Blue No. 2 (Indigotine [Indigo Carmine])

• FD&C Green No. 3 (Fast Green FCF)

• FD&C Red No. 3 (Erythrosine)

• FD&C Red No. 40 (Allura Red AC)

• FD&C Yellow No. 5 (Tartrazine)

• FD&C Yellow No. 6 (Sunset Yellow FCF)

Deemed Safe? Although the US FDA (Food and Drug Administration) deems certain food color chemicals safe, they have set regulated limits for their consumption. These chemicals are ‘Generally Recognized as Safe’ when used within the prescribed ‘Acceptable Daily Intake’; however, the amounts of the food color chemicals are not shared on any food product lablels.

Some synthetic dyes approved by the US FDA are banned or restricted in other countries (e.g., European Union, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Japan, Norway, Germany, Austria, South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, Morocco, Tunisia, and Egypt).

Beware of Color: If you are currently dealing with a medical condition or a disease, read and learn how food ingredients can impact your health.

Below is a list of some diseases that are impacted by food color chemicals.

• Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD):
  Synthetic dyes like Red No. 40, Yellow No. 5, and Blue No. 1 may worsen hyperactivity and attention issues by disrupting neurotransmitter balance, leading to behavioral changes in children and adults.

• Asthma:
  Yellow No. 5 (Tartrazine) can trigger respiratory issues and exacerbate asthma symptoms by causing histamine release in sensitive individuals.

• Migraine & Chronic Headaches:
  Red No. 40, Yellow No. 5 and Yellow No. 6 have been linked to migraines in sensitive individuals by acting as a neurovascular irritants.

• Cancer (Potential Risk):
  Red No. 3 (Erythrosine) and Blue No. 2 (Indigotine) have shown carcinogenic effects (tumor growth) in animal studies with long-term exposure.

• Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis):
  Dyes like Red No. 40 and Yellow No. 5 may trigger or worsen skin inflammation and itching by acting as allergens that exacerbate skin conditions.

• Metabolic Syndrome & Insulin Resistance:
  Red No. 40 and other synthetic dyes are linked to metabolic signaling disruptions which promote chronic inflammation.

• Gut Disorders (Dysbiosis, IBS):
  Red No. 40, Yellow No. 6, and Blue No. 1 may disrupt gut microbiota and cause gastrointestinal distress by disrupting gut bacterial populations, leading to inflammation and bowel irregularities.

• Anxiety and Mood Disorders:
  Red No. 40, Blue No. 1, and other synthetic dyes may negatively affect mood stability by interfering with serotonin production and trigger irritability or anxiety in sensitive individuals.

• Cardiovascular Disease:
  Chronic exposure to artificial colorants can contribute to systemic inflammation, which is a risk factor for heart disease, and may impair vascular health.

• Allergic Rhinitis and Histamine-Related Disorders:
  Yellow No. 5 and Red No. 40 can provoke histamine release and exacerbate allergy symptoms.

• Autoimmune Diseases:

  • Hashimoto's Thyroiditis (Autoimmune Thyroid Disease):
    Dyes such as Red No. 40 and Yellow No. 5 may trigger the immune system causing inflammation in sensitive individuals, potentially exacerbating thyroid imbalances.

  • Celiac Disease & Gluten Sensitivity:
    Some food dyes (e.g., Blue No. 1 and Yellow No. 5) may contain trace ingredients derived from gluten-contaminated sources & can inadvertently trigger an autoimmune response in sensitive individuals..

  • Crohn’s Disease & Ulcerative Colitis (Inflammatory Bowel Diseases):
    Synthetic dyes like Red No. 40, Blue No. 2, and Yellow No. 6 may aggravate & disrupt gut microbiota which can lead to inflammation and flare-ups of irritable bowel disease.

  • Lupus (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus - SLE):
    FD&C Red No. 40, Yellow No. 5, and other synthetic dyes may trigger immune reactions and increase inflammation which can worsen other symptoms.

  • Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis:
    Artificial colorings such as Yellow No. 5 and Red No. 40 are linked to skin inflammation which can lead to skin flare-ups.

• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS):

Food color additives can negatively impact individuals with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) through several mechanisms that exacerbate hormonal imbalances, inflammation, and metabolic issues.

• Hormonal Disruption:
  Synthetic dyes such as Red No. 40 and Yellow No. 5 (Tartrazine) may interfere with hormone regulation, particularly estrogen and insulin and may worsen the hormonal imbalances already present (e.g., elevated androgens).

• Increased Inflammation:
  PCOS is associated with chronic low-grade inflammation and food dyes can exacerbate this state and can promote the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines.

• Insulin Resistance:
  Insulin resistance is common in PCOS, and synthetic dyes may worsen glucose metabolism by impairing insulin signaling which contributes to blood sugar imbalances.

• Gut Health Disruption:
  Synthetic dyes may disrupt the gut microbiota, reducing beneficial bacteria and promoting gut imbalances which can exacerbate PCOS symptoms, including inflammation and hormone imbalance.

• Weight Gain and Obesity:
  Many dyed processed foods are calorie-dense and nutritionally poor, contributing to weight gain, which worsens PCOS symptoms.

• Mental Health Effects:
  PCOS is linked to mood disorders and artificial dyes (e.g., Red No. 40; Yellow No. 5; Blue No. 1) may contribute to anxiety, mood instability, irritability and depression.

What Colors Do I Eat:

I don’t eat any manufactured/laboratory-made chemical dyes.

I choose to eat a variety of colorful fruits & vegetables - red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet.

How about you? What colors will you eat, today?