Nutrition Diet: What Brands Use Red 40? Navigating Food Dyes in 2025

October 5, 2025 •

4 min read

Red 40, one of the most widely used synthetic food dyes, is present in over 36,000 U.S. food products according to a USDA database, prompting consumers to question what brands use Red 40 and what the implications are for a healthy nutrition diet. With growing consumer interest in clean eating and recent regulatory actions, understanding which products contain this additive is more relevant than ever.

Quick Summary

Red 40 is a common synthetic food dye derived from petroleum used across many food categories, including cereals, snacks, and beverages. Recent regulatory changes, such as the 2025 Red Dye 3 ban and state-level restrictions, along with major company reformulation announcements, are changing the landscape. Health concerns, particularly regarding hyperactivity in some children, drive many consumers to seek natural alternatives.

Key Points

Prevalence: Red 40 is a common synthetic food dye found in thousands of processed foods and drinks, including many popular cereals, candies, and snacks.
Recent Bans and Reformulations: While the US recently banned Red Dye 3, not Red 40, some states like California are enacting bans on Red 40 for school meals. Major brands like General Mills and Kraft Heinz have also announced plans to phase out Red 40 from their US products by 2027.
Health Concerns: Potential health issues linked to Red 40 consumption include exacerbated hyperactivity in some sensitive children, allergic reactions like hives, and potential gut inflammation based on animal studies.
How to Identify: Red 40 can be identified by reading product labels for names such as FD&C Red No. 40, Allura Red AC, or E129. It is not always obvious from the product's color.
Natural Alternatives: Natural colorants derived from fruits, vegetables, and plants like beet juice, paprika, and spirulina are increasingly available as alternatives to synthetic dyes.
Dietary Choice: Making a dye-free nutrition diet possible involves informed choices, including opting for organic brands and whole foods, and scrutinizing product labels carefully.

The Prevalence of Red 40 in Popular Foods

For decades, Red 40 (also known as Allura Red AC or E129) has been a staple in the food industry, used to create vibrant, appealing colors in a wide array of products. As a synthetic food dye made from petroleum, it is often found in the most brightly colored, highly processed foods.

Cereals and Breakfast Items

Many breakfast foods, particularly those marketed to children, feature vivid colors achieved with Red 40 and other synthetic dyes. Classic examples include:

Froot Loops: The multi-colored rings from WK Kellogg have been a frequent target of criticism for their use of artificial colors.
Lucky Charms: General Mills' marshmallow cereal is known to use Red 40.
Fruity Pebbles: This colorful cereal is another product where Red 40 is a key ingredient.
Pop-Tarts: Several varieties, such as Frosted Strawberry and Frosted Wildlicious Wild Berry, contain Red 40.

Snacks and Candies

When you see a bright red or artificially colored candy or snack, Red 40 is often the cause. The list of popular brands is extensive:

Skittles: The iconic red color is derived from Red 40.
M&M's: The red pieces contain Red 40.
Starburst: The red and pink fruit chews include Red 40.
Doritos: Nacho Cheese and Flamin' Hot varieties use Red 40 for their signature color.
Twizzlers: Many varieties of this licorice-style candy contain Red 40.
Fruit Roll-Ups: A popular fruit snack that features Red 40.

Beverages

From sports drinks to sodas, beverages often rely on Red 40 for visual appeal. Key examples include:

Gatorade: The Fruit Punch flavor uses Red 40.
Kool-Aid: Various red-colored drink mixes contain Red 40.
Fanta: Some Fanta soda varieties, including Fanta Soda, include Red 40.
Hawaiian Punch: This fruit punch drink is another common source of Red 40.
Mountain Dew Code Red: As the name suggests, this soda contains Red 40.

Desserts and Baked Goods

Red 40 is frequently used in desserts to create eye-catching presentations.

Betty Crocker: Brands like Betty Crocker use Red 40 in cake and frosting mixes, including Red Velvet and Funfetti Valentine's Day Vanilla Frosting.
Jell-O: Many red-colored gelatin desserts contain Red 40.
Ice Cream and Popsicles: Various frozen desserts rely on Red 40 for their color, such as Breyers M&M's Minis Caramel Fudge Light Ice Cream.

The Evolving Landscape of Red 40

While Red 40 is still widely used in the US, significant regulatory and industry shifts are underway. In January 2025, the FDA banned Red Dye No. 3 in food, beverages, and ingested drugs, signaling heightened scrutiny of artificial dyes overall. California’s law, effective in 2028, will ban several dyes, including Red 40, from foods served in public schools.

In response to this pressure and changing consumer demands, some major food manufacturers have announced their own plans to reformulate. In mid-2025, General Mills and Kraft Heinz both committed to phasing out FD&C artificial dyes from their US product portfolios by the end of 2027. This means that many popular brands currently on the shelves may soon have a different ingredient list.

Health Implications and Consumer Concerns

Ongoing studies and consumer reports have raised various health concerns regarding Red 40, leading many people to seek a dye-free nutrition diet. The most prominent concerns include:

Hyperactivity in Children: Some evidence suggests a link between Red 40 and exacerbated hyperactive behaviors, particularly in children with ADHD. While not all studies show a direct causal link, a review of 25 studies found evidence of an association in 64% of them.
Allergies and Sensitivities: Certain individuals may experience allergic reactions to Red 40, such as hives, skin rashes, or swelling.
Inflammation and Gut Health: Some animal studies have shown potential links to gut inflammation and DNA damage, but human studies are still needed to confirm these findings.

Comparison of Products with and without Red 40


Product Category	Common Brand with Red 40	Potential Natural/Dye-Free Alternative
Cereal	Froot Loops	Cascadian Farm Berry Vanilla Puffs
Candy	Skittles	YumEarth Organic Fruit Snacks
Snacks	Nacho Cheese Doritos	Siete Grain-Free Tortilla Chips
Beverage	Gatorade Fruit Punch	BodyArmor Lyte
Dessert Mix	Betty Crocker Red Velvet Cake Mix	Simple Mills Almond Flour Cake Mix

Natural Alternatives to Artificial Dyes

With rising demand, manufacturers are turning to natural alternatives to achieve color without synthetic dyes. These options are often derived from plants, fruits, and vegetables. Examples include:

Beet Juice: Provides a vibrant red color.
Spirulina: Can be used for green and blue shades.
Paprika and Turmeric: Offers orange and yellow hues.
Fruit and Vegetable Juices: Berries and other fruits can be used for natural coloring.

For consumers, especially parents of sensitive children, switching to natural alternatives is becoming easier. The rise of dye-free options from brands like YumEarth and Unreal, as well as mainstream companies reformulating their products, offers more choices than ever before.

Conclusion

While Red 40 remains a pervasive ingredient in processed foods, the current food and regulatory climate is clearly shifting. Consumers are increasingly scrutinizing food labels, and brands are responding by committing to dye-free formulations. Staying informed about what brands use Red 40 is crucial for anyone looking to optimize their nutrition diet and make deliberate choices about the ingredients they consume. By reading labels, supporting brands that use natural colorants, and exploring whole food alternatives, you can significantly reduce your family's intake of synthetic dyes.

For more information on the history and regulations surrounding Red 40, a comprehensive overview is available at the CBS News website.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, Red 40 is not currently banned in the US by the FDA, though it is subject to ongoing scrutiny. However, some state-level restrictions are emerging, such as California's 2028 ban on Red 40 in school meals. Many food manufacturers, like General Mills and Kraft Heinz, are also voluntarily phasing out its use.

Red 40 is found in thousands of processed foods and drinks. Common examples include Froot Loops and Lucky Charms cereals, Skittles and M&M's candies, Gatorade and Kool-Aid beverages, and many baked goods and desserts from brands like Betty Crocker.

Some studies suggest a link between Red 40 consumption and increased hyperactivity or worsened ADHD symptoms in sensitive children. While a direct causal link hasn't been definitively proven for all children, many parents report behavioral improvements when removing artificial dyes from their child's diet.

To identify Red 40, you must read the ingredient list on the product label. Look for 'FD&C Red No. 40', 'Red 40', or 'Allura Red AC'. Be aware that the color of the food itself is not always an indicator, as even white-colored products can contain synthetic dyes.

Natural alternatives used by some manufacturers include beet juice, paprika, turmeric, and other fruit or vegetable-based extracts. These natural colorants are used to achieve color without petroleum-derived dyes.

The safety of food dyes is a complex and debated topic. While the FDA considers approved dyes safe when used within regulations, concerns remain, especially for sensitive individuals. Natural colorants, often found in organic or 'clean label' products, are generally considered safer alternatives.

Brands use Red 40 to enhance and standardize the color of their products for consumer appeal. The dye is affordable and provides a consistent, vibrant color that can be associated with specific flavors. The FDA has historically approved its use, though regulations and consumer expectations are changing.