How often have you reached for a colourful snack or a fizzy drink, thinking it’s just a harmless treat? Well, a major new study out of the United States (US) has revealed that a startling number of everyday foods and drinks—many of which are household staples—contain synthetic colourings linked to various health concerns, including cancer.
And if you think this is just an American problem, think again: many of these products, ingredients, and food trends make their way to Australian shelves, too.
Researchers from the University of North Carolina examined nearly 40,000 packaged food and beverage products from the top 25 US food and beverage companies, including Kraft Heinz, Nestlé, Coca-Cola, and others.
What they found was eye-opening: 19 per cent of all products analysed contained at least one petroleum-based dye, with Red 40 topping the list.
Red 40, also known as Allura Red, was found in about 14 per cent of the products tested. Various studies have linked this dye to childhood behavioural problems, cancer, and even infertility.
It’s not just in the obvious suspects like lollies and soft drinks, either. The study found Red 40 lurking in everything from Doritos and Froot Loops to Heinz Sweet Relish, Kraft Creamy French Dressing, flavoured milks, and yoghurts.
Dr Elizabeth Dunford, the study’s lead author, expressed her disappointment at the continued prevalence of these synthetic dyes, especially in products marketed to children.
‘Given the accumulation of evidence over the last 40 years pointing to the health harms of synthetic dyes, it’s disappointing to see that they’re still so prevalent in our food system, particularly in products that are designed to appeal to children,’ she said.
The study found that 30 per cent of food items targeted at young children—think confectionery, sugar-sweetened beverages, ready meals, breakfast cereals, and baked goods—contained synthetic colourings.
The bright colours are no accident; they’re used to make sugary foods and drinks even more appealing, but both the dyes and the sugar are linked to poor health outcomes.
The most common synthetic dyes found in the study were Red 40, Red 3, Yellow 5 (tartrazine), Yellow 6, Blue 1, Blue 2, and Green 3. Here’s a quick rundown of what the research says about them:
- Red 40: Linked to behavioural issues in children, cancer, and infertility.
- Red 3: Associated with thyroid tumours in animal studies.
- Yellow 5: Linked to hyperactivity in children and potential DNA damage.
- Yellow 6: Found in cereals and lollies, linked to hyperactivity and inattention.
- Blue 1 & 2: Found in lollies and sports drinks, linked to tumour growth in animal studies.
- Green 3: Found in canned vegetables and salad dressings, also linked to animal tumour growth.
These dyes aren’t just in sweets and soft drinks. They’re in pickles, salad dressings, flavoured milks, yoghurts, and some breads and cereals.
Foods containing these dyes accounted for over $46 billion in consumer sales in 2020 alone.
Which companies are the biggest offenders?
The study singled out Ferrero (makers of Ferrero Rocher) as using the highest amount of food dyes, with nearly all their products containing one or more synthetic colourings.
Over half of Mars Inc.’s food items and more than half of PepsiCo’s energy drinks were also found to contain these dyes.
There is some good news. Some companies are starting to act in response to mounting evidence and public pressure.
Kraft Heinz, for example, has announced plans to remove artificial colours from its products by 2027. Other big names like W.K. Kellogg and Tyson Foods are also working on reformulating products to ditch synthetic dyes.
On the regulatory front, US Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has outlined plans to ban synthetic food dyes as part of a broader push to tackle chronic diseases like obesity and diabetes.
Several US states are moving to ban or require labelling of these dyes, and a bill in Texas would require companies to clearly label products containing additives like synthetic dyes and bleached flour.
While this study focused on the US, it’s worth noting that many of the same products and ingredients are found on Australian supermarket shelves.
Australia’s food standards regulate food additives. However, synthetic dyes like Red 40 (Allura Red AC, additive 129) and others are still permitted in many foods, albeit with some restrictions.
The Food Standards Australia New Zealand authority requires that food labels list all additives, including colourings, by their name or number. However, unless you’re in the habit of reading the fine print, it’s easy to miss these ingredients.
While the science is still evolving, there’s enough evidence to warrant caution, especially for children and those with sensitivities.
The good news is that awareness is growing, and consumers and companies are starting to demand better.
Have you noticed synthetic dyes in your favourite foods? Do you check labels, or have you changed your shopping habits because of concerns about food additives? We’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences—share your comments below!
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