Brightly colored food and drinks often owe their appealing appearance to synthetic dyes, which can conceal high amounts of added sugar. These colorful products, frequently marketed to children, may contribute to unhealthy dietary habits and pose risks to physical and neurobehavioral health. The combination of vivid colors and excessive sugar content can make these items particularly attractive but harmful alternatives to more nutritious options.
Researchers found that 19% of the evaluated products contained at least one synthetic dye, accounting for 460 crores in annual sales. These products had, on average 141% more total sugar than dye-free items, a significant difference particularly evident in baked goods and breakfast cereals. Foods marketed to children were more than twice as likely to contain synthetic dyes compared to products aimed at the general population.
The study identified FD&C Red No. 40 as the most frequently used dye, present in about 14% of products. Nearly 14% of dyed items contained multiple synthetic dyes, with some products containing up to seven different dyes. Sports drinks had the highest dye prevalence - 79% included synthetic colors - while carbonated beverages contributed substantially to sales revenue.
The findings highlight the disproportionate exposure of children to sugary, dye-containing foods and drinks, raising concerns about potential physical and neurobehavioral health impacts. The researchers noted variability among companies in dye use, indicating reformulation is feasible.
“Synthetic dyes are not just decorative additives but a significant part of America’s food environment that merits public health attention,” the authors concluded.
Reference: Dunford, E. K., Galligan, T. M., Taillie, L. S., & Musicus, A. A. (2025). All the Colors of the Rainbow: Synthetic Dyes in US Packaged Foods and Beverages in 2020. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 125(9), 1207–1217.e9. DOI – 10.1016/j.jand.2025.05.007,
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