Tag: Synthetic food dye

According to the Environmental Working Group, Yellow 6 is a synthetic dye made from petroleum and is found in a wide variety of foods. The answer to "is Yellow 6 natural?" is a definitive and simple no, but the story behind this common food additive is more complex and deserves a closer look.

There is no single code for red dye; instead, various codes identify different red food colorings depending on their composition and country of regulation. The most prominent codes consumers encounter include FD&C Red No. 40 in the United States and the European E-number system, which distinguishes between synthetic and natural colorants.

Over a century ago, the synthetic food coloring agent erythrosine was first approved for use. Erythrosine, also known as Red Dye No. 3, is a synthetic food color derived from petroleum. Its vivid cherry-pink hue is created through a chemical process, not from natural sources like fruits or vegetables.

Food coloring code 122 is a synthetic red azo dye known as Azorubine or Carmoisine, with an acceptable daily intake (ADI) of up to 4 mg/kg body weight set by the World Health Organization. This widespread additive is prized for its coloring stability in processed foods, but its safety has prompted varying regulations and consumer warnings across different countries.

Over 50% of consumers surveyed by PepsiCo have sought to reduce their intake of artificial dyes, including Yellow 6. This widespread concern leads many to question the origin of this common food additive: is Yellow 6 a natural dye? The answer may surprise you, as its origins are far from natural.

According to the FDA, Allura Red AC is one of nine certified color additives approved for use in foods and beverages in the United States. This synthetic food dye, which is the chemical equivalent of Red 40, is used to produce a vibrant reddish hue in a vast range of consumer products.

In a historic move in January 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) finalized a ban on Red No. 3 from the food and ingested drug supply, citing safety concerns. This action effectively ended the use of the petroleum-based dye, also known as Erythrosine or FD&C Red No. 3, which was once commonly used to impart a vibrant, cherry-red color to a wide array of consumer products.

According to the Center for Science in the Public Interest, synthetic food dyes like Red 40 have seen a significant increase in usage over the past few decades, corresponding with the rise of ultra-processed foods. This raises important questions for consumers, with many asking, "**Is Red 40 in hot chips**?". For those focused on a discerning nutrition diet, understanding what goes into your snacks is crucial.

Derived from petroleum distillates, Brilliant Blue FCF, often denoted as E133, is a synthetic dye widely used to create a vibrant blue hue in processed foods. In the context of modern eating, the question of 'What is color 133?' is increasingly relevant to understanding how artificial additives impact our nutrition diet.