Tag: Petroleum based dye

Recent FDA actions led to the eventual ban of Red No. 3 from food and ingested drugs in the U.S. after more than three decades of debate. Red No. 3 dye, also known as erythrosine, is a synthetic, chemical dye derived from petroleum. The dye was originally created in 1876 and has been used to impart a bright, cherry-red color to a variety of products.

Yellow 6, also known as Sunset Yellow FCF, is a synthetic azo dye derived from petroleum. Unlike natural colorings, this widely used additive has no nutritional value and is solely included to enhance the visual appeal of a variety of food products.

First introduced in the 1970s, Red 40, also known as Allura Red AC, is a synthetic food coloring widely used in processed foods and beverages. Many people mistakenly believe it comes from insects, but in reality, what does Red 40 originate from is petroleum distillates, not natural ingredients.

As of January 2025, the FDA officially banned Red Dye 3 from use in foods and ingested drugs in the U.S., making the question 'what is red dye 3 made out of?' more relevant than ever for consumers focused on a clean nutrition diet. The decision came decades after the dye was linked to health concerns in animal studies.

According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), Flamin' Hot Cheetos use the synthetic food dye Red 40, a colorant found in thousands of processed food products. This vibrant color is essential for branding, but what is the red dye in Cheetos, and is it safe to eat?