Nutrition Diet: What brands don't have red dye 40?

October 9, 2025 •

4 min read

According to a 2021 review by California's Environmental Protection Agency, synthetic food dyes like Red Dye 40 may cause or exacerbate neuro-behavioral problems in some children. Consumers are increasingly seeking to understand what brands don't have red dye 40, driving many companies to reformulate their products with natural alternatives.

Quick Summary

Discover a comprehensive list of brands committed to avoiding Red Dye 40, including major labels and specific product lines, alongside information on natural color alternatives and ongoing industry shifts.

Key Points

Industry Shift: Many major food companies like Walmart, Kraft Heinz, General Mills, and PepsiCo are phasing out or have removed Red Dye 40 and other artificial colors from their products.
Reliable Brands: Aldi and Trader Joe's house brands are generally free of artificial food dyes, providing a wide range of options for consumers.
Natural Alternatives: In place of Red Dye 40, brands are increasingly using natural colorants derived from vegetables and fruits, such as beetroot, paprika, and purple carrots.
Read the Label: The most reliable way to avoid Red Dye 40 is to read the ingredient list and look for specific names like "Red 40" or "FD&C Red No. 40".
Know Your Products: Even within a single company, some products may be dye-free while others contain artificial colors, so check individual items carefully.
European Regulations: While not banned in the U.S., European countries often require warning labels on products containing synthetic dyes, contributing to global pressure for change.

The Rise of Dye-Free: Why Consumers are Demanding Change

While the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) continues to approve Red Dye 40 for use in food, consumer concern is prompting major changes in the food industry. Red Dye 40 is a synthetic color additive that, along with others, has been linked to potential health issues, particularly in sensitive individuals and children. In contrast, European regulations require a warning label on many products containing synthetic dyes, alerting consumers to the potential impact on activity and attention in children. In response, a growing number of companies, from national brands to house labels, are phasing out artificial colorants in favor of natural, plant-based options like beet juice, paprika, and annatto. This shift represents a significant movement towards cleaner, more transparent labeling that aligns with the evolving priorities of health-conscious consumers.

Major Brands and Retailers Committing to Dye-Free

Several large food manufacturers and grocery chains have publicly announced plans or have already removed artificial dyes from a portion of their products. This provides a clear path for consumers looking for options without Red Dye 40.

Aldi: As an early adopter, Aldi has banned chemical food dyes, including Red Dye 40, from its store-brand products. This is a great starting point for a vast range of dye-free grocery options.
Trader Joe's: All Trader Joe's label products are reportedly dye-free, including their candies and treats, which use natural coloring.
Walmart: In a major announcement, Walmart committed to removing artificial dyes and other additives from its US private-brand food and beverage products (like Great Value, Marketside) by 2027.
Kraft Heinz: The company removed artificial colors from its beloved Kraft Mac & Cheese in 2016 and its Heinz Ketchup has never contained them. However, some other brands like Kool-Aid still contain dyes. Kraft Heinz aims to eliminate certified color additives from other products by the end of 2027.
General Mills: Has been systematically removing artificial dyes, with plans to have its full U.S. retail portfolio free of them by the end of 2027.
PepsiCo: This company has been transitioning its portfolio, with its 'Simply' line of chips (like Doritos) being dye-free and organic Gatorade being a specific dye-free option. PepsiCo aims to re-launch Lay's and Tostitos without certified color additives by the end of 2025.

Specific Products and Brands without Red Dye 40

Beyond major corporate policies, numerous smaller and specialized brands offer a variety of dye-free products. Here are some examples from different food categories:

Snacks and Bars

Annie's Homegrown: Many of their products, such as crackers and snack bars, are free from artificial dyes and use natural colorings from plants.
Clif Kid Z Bars: These snack bars are made with organic ingredients and are free from artificial colors and flavors.
Chomps: Unlike traditional processed meat sticks, Chomps meat sticks and Chomplings are excellent dye-free options.
Simply Line (Frito-Lay): Products like Simply Doritos Organic White Cheddar, Simply Cheetos, and Simply Smartfood White Cheddar offer dye-free versions of popular snacks.
MadeGood: Offers a range of bars, minis, and cookies that are free of artificial dyes.
Pirate's Booty: A popular puffed snack that does not contain artificial dyes.
YumEarth: An organic candy brand that uses natural fruit and vegetable juices for color.

Beverages

Capri Sun: The juice drink pouches contain no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.
Stonyfield Organic Kids Yogurt: Uses 100% organic milk and real fruit for natural colors.
Organic Gatorade: As mentioned above, PepsiCo launched an organic, dye-free version.
Hint: A brand of flavored water that does not contain artificial colors.

Dairy and Alternatives

Stonyfield Organic Kids Yogurt: A variety of organic yogurts that use natural colors from real fruit.
Organic Valley: Offers string cheese and smoothies that are dye-free.

Comparison Table: Companies Pledging to Remove Dyes

To help track the ongoing shift towards cleaner ingredients, here is a summary of commitments from major brands regarding the removal of synthetic dyes:


Company	Product(s) / Brand(s) Affected	Planned Change	Status
Walmart	Private-label products (Great Value, Marketside)	Eliminate artificial dyes by end of 2027.	In Progress
Kraft Heinz	Crystal Light, Kool-Aid, Jell-O, etc.	Eliminate certified color additives by end of 2027.	In Progress
General Mills	Full U.S. Retail Portfolio	Eliminate certified color additives by end of 2027.	In Progress
PepsiCo	Lay's, Tostitos	Re-launch without certified color additives by end of 2025.	In Progress
Tyson Foods	All products	Eliminated certified color additives by end of May 2025.	Completed
Nestlé S.A.	U.S. food and beverage portfolio	Eliminate certified color additives by mid-2026.	In Progress
Hershey Company	Jolly Rancher, Twizzlers, etc.	Eliminate certified color additives from snacks by end of 2027.	In Progress
WK Kellogg Co	Froot Loops, Apple Jacks, etc.	Eliminate certified color additives from existing products by end of 2027.	In Progress

How to Shop for Dye-Free Products

Navigating the grocery store for dye-free products requires attention to detail. Reading the ingredient list is crucial. Look for terms like "artificial colors," "synthetic colors," or specific names like "Red 40" or "FD&C Red No. 40." Instead, seek products colored with natural sources. As the food industry continues its transition, more products will be explicitly labeled as "no artificial colors." Consumers can also look for products with organic certifications, as organic standards often prohibit the use of synthetic color additives. For a comprehensive look at the industry transition, you can consult the official FDA industry tracker.

Conclusion

The increasing demand for transparency and cleaner ingredients has fundamentally changed the landscape of the food industry, leading to significant shifts in what brands don't have red dye 40. From major retailers like Aldi and Walmart to individual brands reformulating their signature products, the trend towards natural food coloring is on the rise. By being aware of which brands are making these changes and carefully reading ingredient labels, consumers can easily choose healthier, dye-free alternatives for themselves and their families.

Frequently Asked Questions

Red Dye 40, also known as Allura Red or FD&C Red No. 40, is a synthetic food color additive made from petroleum. It is one of the most commonly used artificial dyes in food and beverages in the United States.

Concerns about Red Dye 40 often stem from studies suggesting a link between synthetic food dyes and hyperactivity, particularly in some sensitive children. It has also been flagged by health and consumer advocacy groups.

Several major companies have recently announced plans to remove artificial dyes, including Kraft Heinz, General Mills, PepsiCo, Hershey Company, and WK Kellogg Co.

Yes, PepsiCo offers an organic, dye-free version of Gatorade as an alternative to its artificially colored drinks.

While the vast majority of USDA Organic certified products do not contain synthetic dyes, it is still a good practice to check the ingredient list to ensure no non-synthetic, natural-source coloring agents are used that you wish to avoid.

To find dye-free snacks for kids, look for brands like Annie's Homegrown, Clif Kid Z Bars, MadeGood, and YumEarth. Always check the ingredient label for phrases like 'no artificial colors' or for natural color sources like beet juice.

Common natural alternatives for red coloring include beetroot, paprika, and vegetable juices like purple carrot. These plant-based sources offer vibrant hues without the synthetic additives.