Nutrition Diet: A Guide to Understanding What Drinks Have Red 40 in Them?

October 17, 2025 •

5 min read

An estimated 94% of people over 2 years old in the United States consume Red 40, one of the most widely used synthetic color additives. Navigating grocery store aisles can be tricky, so it's important to know what drinks have Red 40 in them to make more informed dietary choices for yourself and your family. The presence of this dye is common in many processed beverages, often listed under different names.

Quick Summary

A comprehensive list reveals many common drinks containing Red 40, including sodas, sports drinks, and juices. Learning to read ingredient labels for dye variations is crucial for avoiding it. Considering the growing health concerns surrounding synthetic dyes, consumers are increasingly seeking natural alternatives.

Key Points

Prevalence of Red 40: A vast number of soft drinks, sports drinks, juice drinks, and powdered mixes contain Red 40, including popular brands like Mountain Dew Code Red and Gatorade Fruit Punch.
Reading Ingredient Labels: To identify Red 40, check for names such as FD&C Red No. 40, Allura Red AC, or E 129 on the ingredient list, as relying on color alone is unreliable.
Potential Health Issues: Red 40 has been linked to increased hyperactivity in some children, allergic reactions, and migraines, though it is approved for use by the FDA.
Global Regulatory Differences: In contrast to the FDA's stance, European countries require warning labels on products containing Red 40, highlighting international caution over the dye's potential effects.
Natural Alternatives: Healthier options exist, with natural colorants like beet juice, paprika extract, and pomegranate juice becoming increasingly available as substitutes for synthetic dyes.
Informed Consumer Choices: By understanding where Red 40 is found and learning to read labels, consumers can actively choose beverages free of this artificial colorant.

Identifying What Drinks Have Red 40 in Them

Red 40, also known as Allura Red AC or FD&C Red No. 40, is a synthetic food coloring derived from petroleum and used extensively across the beverage industry. Its purpose is to create a bright, consistent color that signals a particular flavor, such as cherry, strawberry, or fruit punch. While its presence is common in red-hued drinks, it can also be used to brighten or enhance the appearance of other beverage colors. For consumers prioritizing a diet free from artificial additives, identifying which drinks contain this dye is the first step toward making a change.

Popular Soft Drinks, Sodas, and Sports Drinks with Red 40

Many of the most popular mainstream beverage brands use Red 40 to achieve their vibrant colors. A quick review of ingredient lists reveals its presence in several household names:

Mountain Dew Code Red: Contains Red 40, Yellow 5, and Blue 1.
Pepsi Wild Cherry: Uses Red 40 for its distinct coloration.
Gatorade Fruit Punch: Features FD&C Red Dye #40, along with other dyes in different flavors.
Fanta Strawberry: A popular fruit-flavored soda that often includes Red 40.
Crush Strawberry: Like other strawberry-flavored sodas, it typically contains Red 40.
Hawaiian Punch: A well-known fruity beverage that lists Red 40 among its ingredients.

Juice Drinks and Powdered Mixes

It's not just carbonated soft drinks that contain Red 40. Many juice drinks and powdered drink mixes also rely on artificial colorants to enhance their appeal. These products are often marketed toward children, making awareness even more important for parents.

V8 Splash Island Strawberry: Contains Red 40, Sucralose, and other artificial ingredients.
Kool-Aid: Many of the fruit-punch and cherry-flavored powdered mixes and liquid concentrates contain Red 40.
Pink Lemonade Mixes: While not a specific brand, many generic and store-brand pink lemonade mixes use Red 40 to create the signature pink color.

Decoding the Ingredient Label

Simply looking at the color of a drink is not enough to determine if it contains Red 40. The dye can be present in beverages that aren't obviously red, used to brighten other colors. To make informed choices, you must train yourself to read the ingredient list carefully. Red 40 can appear under several names:

FD&C Red No. 40
Red 40
Allura Red AC
CI 16035
E 129 (in Europe)

Additionally, manufacturers may sometimes list it as 'Red 40 Lake,' which is a version of the dye that is insoluble in water. Checking for these specific terms is the most reliable way to confirm its presence. A good rule of thumb is that if a beverage's color looks unnaturally vibrant or neon, it's likely to contain artificial dyes.

Potential Health Considerations and Global Regulations

The widespread use of Red 40 in beverages has been a source of significant debate and scrutiny. While the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Red 40, ongoing research and consumer advocacy have raised questions about its safety, particularly for certain populations.

Concerns and Reactions

Concerns linked to Red 40 include:

Hyperactivity in Children: Several studies have suggested a link between synthetic food dyes, including Red 40, and increased hyperactivity, especially in children with ADHD. In fact, some parents have reported improvements in behavior after removing the dye from their children's diets.
Allergic Reactions: Some individuals may experience allergic reactions, such as hives or facial swelling, after consuming products with Red 40.
Migraines: Anecdotal evidence and some studies have connected Red 40 consumption to migraines and headaches in susceptible individuals.

International Regulations

Regulation of Red 40 varies globally. In Europe, the dye is not banned, but products containing it require a warning label stating that they “may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children”. This contrasts with the FDA's stance in the U.S., where it is considered safe for consumption. This regulatory difference underscores the ongoing debate about its safety and the need for consumers to make personal decisions.

Natural Alternatives to Artificial Colorants

For those who wish to avoid Red 40, manufacturers and consumers have explored natural color alternatives that provide vibrant hues without synthetic chemicals. These alternatives can be derived from fruits, vegetables, and other plant sources.

Here are some popular natural replacements:

Beet Juice: Provides a vibrant red color and is perfect for beverages, sauces, and desserts.
Paprika Extract: Offers a warm reddish-orange hue and can be used in both savory and sweet applications.
Pomegranate Juice: Provides a deep red shade and adds a rich, fruity flavor.
Hibiscus Powder: Delivers a rich crimson color and a slightly tangy flavor, great for teas and drink mixes.
Annatto: Derived from the seeds of the achiote tree, it produces a red-orange color often used in dairy and beverage products.

Comparison: Drinks with Red 40 vs. Natural Alternatives


Feature	Drinks with Red 40 (e.g., Gatorade Fruit Punch)	Drinks with Natural Alternatives (e.g., Health-Ade Pink Lady Kombucha)
Color Source	Synthetic, petroleum-derived dye (FD&C Red No. 40)	Plant-based extracts (e.g., beet juice, fruit concentrates)
Color Appearance	Often unnaturally bright, vivid, and consistent	More muted or earthy tones, may vary slightly batch to batch
Health Concerns	Linked to hyperactivity, allergies, and migraines in some individuals	Generally considered safer, no artificial dye concerns
Ingredients	Typically includes high-fructose corn syrup, artificial flavors, and preservatives	Often contains natural sweeteners, fruit juice, and minimal processing
Availability	Widely available in most grocery and convenience stores	Increasingly common, found in organic or natural food sections

Conclusion

Numerous popular beverages, including sodas, sports drinks, and juice mixes, contain Red 40. Knowing what drinks have Red 40 in them is crucial for anyone looking to reduce their intake of synthetic food colorants. Consumers can make healthier choices by carefully reading ingredient labels for aliases like Allura Red AC and opting for products that use natural colorants such as beet juice or paprika extract. While regulatory bodies in different parts of the world have varying perspectives on its safety, the potential links to hyperactivity and allergic reactions are enough reason for many to seek out naturally colored alternatives. Making informed choices at the grocery store empowers you to better control the ingredients in your diet and that of your family.

For more information on food additives and labeling, resources from health authorities can be a helpful guide. Healthline provides in-depth articles on Red 40 and other additives.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, certain Gatorade flavors contain Red 40. Specifically, Gatorade Fruit Punch lists FD&C Red Dye #40 on its ingredient label.

Other names for Red 40 include Allura Red AC, FD&C Red No. 40, CI 16035, and E 129 (in Europe).

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers Red 40 safe for consumption. However, some studies and consumer concerns have linked it to hyperactivity in children and allergic reactions in some individuals.

No, not all red-colored drinks contain Red 40. Many natural and organic brands use alternative colorants derived from natural sources, such as beet juice or fruit concentrates.

Red 40 is used in drinks to create a consistent, vibrant color that makes the product more visually appealing and helps consumers identify the flavor, such as cherry or strawberry.

Common natural alternatives for coloring beverages include beet juice, paprika extract, annatto, pomegranate juice, and hibiscus powder.

Yes, Red 40 can be used in subtle amounts to enhance or brighten other colors in beverages. Always check the ingredient label to be sure, regardless of the drink's color.

Yes, Red 40 is one of the certified color additives that the FDA has approved for use in foods and beverages in the United States.