Category: Artificial ingredients

According to Haribo's own ingredient lists, many of its products manufactured for the US market, including the classic Goldbears and other varieties, do contain the artificial color Red Dye 40. However, this is not the case for all Haribo products worldwide, leading to confusion among consumers.

Most pure, 100% cherry juices do not contain Red 40. However, the artificial dye is commonly found in cherry-flavored beverages, drink mixes, and other processed products, making it crucial to understand the difference. The question, "is there Red 40 in cherry juice?" depends heavily on the specific product.

According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), several Pop-Tarts flavors contain Red 40, a synthetic food dye that is also known as Allura Red AC. This ingredient is used to enhance the visual appeal of many processed foods, including the bright red fillings and frostings found in certain toaster pastries.

Over 95% of Blue 1 remains in the gastrointestinal system after consumption, indicating its synthetic nature. In fact, Blue 1, also known as Brilliant Blue FCF or FD&C Blue No. 1, is not a natural colorant but a petroleum-derived substance created through chemical synthesis.

According to the official ingredient list from Kellogg's, Frosted Strawberry Pop-Tarts do contain Red 40. This synthetic food dye is used to give the toaster pastry's filling and frosting their signature vibrant color, despite the presence of actual dried strawberries.

In 2025, it was reported that Kellogg's and Kellanova use a range of artificial dyes, including Red 40 and Yellow 6, in many products, which includes several Pop-Tarts flavors. This means that the vibrant colors you see on many frosted Pop-Tarts are indeed derived from artificial coloring and not natural sources.

Red 40, known chemically as Allura Red AC, is the most commonly used food dye in the United States, appearing in over 36,000 food products. This common artificial ingredient often prompts the question: what is red 40 made of in food?

In March 2024, a bill was proposed in California to ban certain food dyes, including some found in Takis, from public schools. This highlights the ongoing public interest in and controversy surrounding the artificial food colorings, like the vibrant red and electric blue dye, that give Takis their distinctive appearance.

According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), some varieties of strawberry Nerds candies list Red 40 Lake among their ingredients. Navigating the world of food colorings can be confusing, especially when trying to understand what is in your favorite candy, so it's important to read labels carefully to find out if strawberry Nerds have red 40.

According to the Center for Science in the Public Interest, some of the very same food products sold in the U.S. that contain synthetic dyes like Red 40 are reformulated with safer, natural alternatives when sold in Europe. This disparity has led many health-conscious consumers to ask: **what sodas don't have Red 40?** Fortunately, many popular and specialty brands offer a range of dye-free options, from classic colas to probiotic-enhanced sparkling drinks.