Tag: Artificial coloring

According to the Environmental Working Group, Flamin' Hot Cheetos do not contain Red Dye 3. The vibrant red color in Flamin' Hot Cheetos is not from the now-banned dye but rather from another synthetic coloring, Red Dye 40.

Yes, Red 40, also known as Allura Red AC, is one of the most widely used synthetic food dyes and a common color additive in processed foods and beverages. A 2016 study found that Red 40 is the most commonly used artificial food coloring in grocery items marketed toward children. This manufactured coloring agent is derived from petroleum and provides the bright red hue seen in many common products.

Reports from organizations like the California EPA indicate that synthetic food dyes, including Red 40 Lake, are linked to neurobehavioral problems in some children. This has led to growing concern about what Red 40 Lake does to the body, impacting everything from behavior to gut health.

A single teaspoon of artificial food coloring is reported to contain zero calories. This fact is crucial for anyone tracking their nutritional intake, but the story is more complex when examining natural alternatives.

Research suggests that blue food dye can take between 14 and 58 hours to pass through a person's system, but the journey for other artificial colorings varies considerably based on several factors. The overall time for elimination depends on an individual's metabolism, hydration levels, and the specific type and quantity of dye consumed.

According to laboratory experiments involving paper chromatography, the color of brown M&M's is not a single pigment but a blend of different dyes. This scientific fact directly addresses the common question: **is there dye in brown M&M's**? The answer, for the standard U.S. product, reveals a cocktail of artificial colorings.

According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), orange Jell-O gelatin snacks contain both Red 40 and Yellow 6, two of their top food additives of concern. This fact reveals that despite its citrusy hue, many commercial orange gelatins are not simply colored with yellow dye, but a mixture of dyes, including red. This practice is common in the food industry to achieve the desired bright and uniform color.

According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), orange Jell-O contains two of the organization's top food additives of concern: Red 40 and Yellow 6. This reveals that despite its orange appearance, Red 40 is a key ingredient used to achieve the signature hue.

Over 2,000 types of synthetic dyes are used annually worldwide, primarily to provide vibrant and consistent colors in a wide array of products. While often scrutinized, artificial colorants offer distinct advantages for manufacturers and product stability that natural alternatives cannot always match.

According to official company policy and product labels, Trader Joe's branded products do not contain any artificial or synthetic food colors. The grocery chain has a long-standing commitment to avoiding these additives, relying instead on naturally derived sources for color.