Nutrition

Food Dye

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Food Dye, Food Coloring Agent

  • Background
  1. Food and medication dye use has significantly increased since the 1990s
  2. Dyes are used only for appearance and have no additional benefit
  3. Dyes may be associated with adverse effects such as Allergic Reactions and increased cancer risk
  • Medications
  • Food Dyes with possible Adverse Effects
  1. FD&C Blue No. 1 (Brilliant Blue, CAS 3844-45-9)
  2. FD&C Blue No. 2 (Indigo Carmine, Indigotine, CAS 860–22-0)
  3. FD&C Green No. 3 (Fast Green, CAS 2353-45-9)
  4. FD&C Red No. 3 (Erythrosine, CAS 16,423–68-0)
    1. Associated with cancer development in rat studies
    2. U.S. FDA Ban starts in 2027 for food, and 2028 for medications
  5. FD&C Red No. 40 (Allura Red, CAS 25,956–17-6)
    1. Risk of contamination with Benzidine (carcinogen)
  6. FD&C Yellow No. 5 (Tartrazine, CAS 1934-21-0)
  7. FD&C Yellow No. 6 (Sunset Yellow, 2783-94-0)
  • Prevention
  1. Dye free products (esp. medications) are often available as an alternative
  • References
  1. (2025) Presc Lett
  2. Miller (2022) Environ Health 21(1):45 +PMID: 35484553 [PubMed]