Does Ensure have red dye? An in-depth look at flavored nutrition shakes

November 14, 2025 •

4 min read

Several recent reports confirmed that certain red-colored Ensure products, like the Original Strawberry Nutrition Shake, contained the now-banned Red 3 dye. As a result, consumers frequently ask, 'Does Ensure have red dye?' to understand the ingredients in their favorite nutrition shakes.

Quick Summary

Some Ensure flavors, particularly strawberry and mixed fruit varieties, contain artificial colors like Red 3 or Red 40, while other options are specifically formulated without dyes. Ingredient lists vary by product, so checking individual labels is essential for identifying the presence of red dyes.

Key Points

Specific Flavors Contain Dyes: Some Ensure varieties, like Original Strawberry and Clear Mixed Fruit, contain red dyes like Red 3 (recently banned) or Red 40.
Not All Products Have Dyes: Many Ensure options, including most vanilla and specific dye-free varieties, do not contain artificial red dyes.
Regulatory Changes Affect Ingredients: The FDA's recent ban on Red 3 means products that once contained it, such as certain strawberry shakes, have been reformulated.
Always Read the Label: Due to differences across products and potential reformulations, checking the ingredient list is the most reliable way to confirm the presence of dyes.
Choose Dye-Free Options: For those avoiding artificial colorants, dye-free versions like Ensure Plant-Based Protein or Ensure Pre-Surgery (Strawberry) are available.
Understand Different Dyes: Red 3 and Red 40 are different artificial colorants with distinct regulatory statuses and health considerations.

Ensure products and artificial red dyes

Not all Ensure products are created equal when it comes to artificial food coloring. The use of red dyes is specific to certain flavors and product lines. In recent years, public awareness and regulatory action have shifted manufacturers' approaches to these additives. Consumers seeking to avoid synthetic dyes must scrutinize ingredient labels carefully, as the presence of a red color does not always indicate an artificial additive, and some products are explicitly formulated to be dye-free.

Products containing red dyes

Ensure Original Strawberry Nutrition Shake: Before recent regulatory changes, this product contained Red 3 (erythrosine), which the FDA has banned for use in foods. Manufacturers were prompted to reformulate these products to comply with the new rule, likely switching to other dyes or natural alternatives.
Ensure Plus Nutrition Shake (Strawberry): Similar to the original formula, this variant also listed Red 3 in its ingredients before the FDA ban went into effect.
Ensure Clear Mixed Fruit Nutrition Drink: This product lists Red 40 as an ingredient. Red 40 is a different synthetic dye derived from petroleum and is currently regulated but not banned by the FDA.

Products without artificial dyes

Ensure Plant-Based Protein (Vanilla): This product is specifically formulated to be free of artificial colors, relying on natural ingredients for its coloring.
Ensure Pre-Surgery (Strawberry): This specific formulation is colorless and contains no added dyes, designed for patients before surgery.
Ensure Original Powder (Vanilla): The vanilla powder ingredient list on Abbott's website shows no red dyes. Beta-carotene is listed as a colorant, which provides a yellow hue naturally.
Ensure Enlive (Vanilla): The ingredients for this high-protein vanilla shake do not list any red dyes.

The difference between Red 3 and Red 40

The red dyes found in Ensure, Red 3 and Red 40, are synthetic and derived from petroleum. However, they have distinct regulatory histories and health concerns.

Red 3 (Erythrosine): This dye was banned by the FDA in 2025 for use in food, though it was previously banned in cosmetics decades prior. The ban stemmed from studies linking it to thyroid tumors in animal studies. The FDA ruling resulted in the immediate removal of products containing Red 3 from store shelves and reformulation by manufacturers.
Red 40 (Allura Red AC): Currently, Red 40 is regulated and approved for use by the FDA. It is one of the most widely used food colorings in the U.S. and is also used in Europe, though it carries a warning label there regarding its potential effect on activity in children. Some studies have suggested links between Red 40 and hyperactivity in children, allergic reactions, and potential carcinogenic effects in animals, though the FDA deems it safe in regulated amounts.

Why are artificial dyes used in nutrition shakes?

Artificial food dyes are commonly used in processed foods and beverages for several reasons:

Visual Appeal: Dyes like Red 40 give products a vibrant, consistent color that aligns with their advertised flavor. For example, a strawberry shake is expected to be a reddish-pink color, and a mixed fruit drink is often a bright, fruity hue. This consistency can be difficult to achieve with natural colorings.
Cost-Effectiveness: Synthetic dyes are generally more stable and less expensive to produce than natural alternatives like beet juice or other plant-based pigments.
Product Stability: Artificial colors are stable under various processing conditions, such as high heat and different pH levels, which ensures the product's color remains consistent throughout its shelf life. Natural dyes can sometimes be less stable and prone to fading.

Table: Ensure Product Comparison: Original Strawberry vs. Plant-Based Vanilla


Feature	Ensure Original Strawberry	Ensure Plant-Based Vanilla
Artificial Red Dye	Yes (Previously contained Red 3; now likely reformulated)	No (Formulated without artificial colors)
Protein Source	Milk Protein Concentrate, Soy Protein Isolate	Plant-Based Protein (pea protein)
Sweeteners	Sugar, Corn Maltodextrin	Sugar, Corn Maltodextrin
Flavoring	Natural and Artificial Flavors	Natural Flavors
Dye-free Option	Not in this specific flavor, but alternatives exist	Yes, this product is dye-free

Conclusion: Navigating Ensure’s ingredients

The question, "Does Ensure have red dye?" requires a nuanced answer because it depends on the specific product and flavor. Some ready-to-drink options like the Strawberry and Mixed Fruit varieties contain artificial colorants, such as the now-banned Red 3 or the currently approved Red 40. However, the brand also offers dye-free alternatives, including the Plant-Based Protein shakes and the specific Pre-Surgery options. Always check the most recent ingredient information on the packaging or manufacturer's website, as formulas can change, especially in response to regulatory updates like the FDA's recent action on Red 3. For those concerned about artificial additives, a growing number of transparently labeled, dye-free options are available. For more details on ingredients, visit the Ensure official website.

Additional notes

Always consult a healthcare professional or registered dietitian for personalized nutrition advice, especially if you have allergies or specific dietary restrictions. They can help you determine the best Ensure product for your needs based on the latest ingredient information.

Ensuring food safety

Beyond artificial dyes, Ensure products are carefully regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States to ensure quality and safety. The ingredients used in the manufacturing process, including vitamins and minerals, undergo rigorous testing. The recent ban on Red 3 illustrates a proactive approach to evolving research on food additives and reinforces the importance of staying informed about product ingredients. Consumers can rest assured that any products remaining on the market have been reformulated to comply with current safety standards.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, the FDA recently banned the use of Red 3 in food products. Manufacturers have had to reformulate products like the Original Strawberry Ensure to remove this specific dye, so any current product on the shelf will not contain Red 3.

Ensure Clear Mixed Fruit Nutrition Drink contains Red 40. Checking the ingredient label on any colored fruit-flavored products is the best way to confirm the presence of Red 40.

Yes, Ensure offers dye-free options. The Ensure Plant-Based Protein in vanilla is explicitly labeled as free of artificial colors, and the Ensure Pre-Surgery (Strawberry) is a colorless formula with no added dyes.

Artificial dyes are used to give products a consistent and visually appealing color that corresponds to the flavor, such as red for strawberry. They are also cost-effective and stable during the manufacturing process.

The FDA regulates and approves Red 40 for use within specified limits. While concerns exist about potential health effects, particularly in children, it remains approved in the U.S., but carries a warning label in the European Union.

To know for sure, you must check the ingredient list on the product's packaging. Look for specific dye names like "Red 40" or check for general phrases such as "artificial colors" or "color added".

Not necessarily. While some, like the traditional shakes, did, others like the Ensure Pre-Surgery strawberry flavor are specifically formulated to be colorless and dye-free.

Yes, products that previously contained Red 3 would have been reformulated to comply with the FDA ban issued in early 2025. Manufacturers would have removed the dye, potentially replacing it with an alternative or a natural colorant.