What Pop Has Red Dye In It? Unveiling the Colorful Truth

November 11, 2025 •

4 min read

In early 2025, the U.S. FDA banned the use of Red Dye No. 3 in foods and ingested drugs, bringing public attention to artificial colorings. Many consumers are now asking: what pop has red dye in it, and which specific dyes should I be aware of?

Quick Summary

Several popular soft drinks contain red dyes, predominantly Red Dye 40, to achieve vibrant colors. Specific brands and flavors include certain Mountain Dew, Pepsi, and Dr Pepper varieties. Alternatives are available for those who wish to avoid synthetic colorings.

Key Points

Red Dye 40 is common: Many red-colored pops use Red Dye 40 (Allura Red AC), a petroleum-derived synthetic colorant.
Check your favorite brands: Popular sodas like Mountain Dew Code Red, Pepsi Wild Cherry, and certain Dr Pepper flavors contain Red Dye 40.
Recent ban affects Red Dye 3: The FDA banned Red Dye 3 in 2025, but this does not apply to Red Dye 40, which remains legal.
Potential health concerns: Concerns exist regarding links between Red Dye 40 and hyperactivity in sensitive children, allergic reactions, and migraines.
Natural alternatives are available: Consumers can opt for clear sodas, naturally colored beverages, or brands using alternatives like beet juice.
Label reading is key: Always check the ingredients list to confirm the presence of specific dyes, as formulations can vary by region.

What is Red Dye and Why is it in Pop?

Red dye, primarily Red Dye 40, is a synthetic food color additive derived from petroleum. Its purpose is purely cosmetic, used to make food and drinks more visually appealing and to help consumers associate a color with a flavor, such as red with cherry or strawberry. Unlike naturally-sourced alternatives, synthetic dyes are cost-effective, stable, and produce consistent, vibrant colors, making them attractive to large-scale manufacturers.

The recent ban on Red Dye No. 3 highlighted the regulatory scrutiny of these additives. While the FDA revoked authorization for Red Dye 3 due to links with cancer in male rats, Red Dye 40 remains an FDA-approved color additive, though concerns about its safety persist. California, for instance, banned Red Dye 40 and other dyes in school meals, signaling growing awareness and regional regulation.

Popular Pop Brands with Red Dye

Several widely-consumed soft drinks use red dyes to achieve their distinct hues. The most common is Red Dye 40 (Allura Red AC), while some brands still use other red dyes or natural alternatives. Checking the ingredient label is the most reliable way to confirm.

Mountain Dew: The 'Code Red' and 'Voltage' flavors contain Red Dye 40. Some other specialty flavors may also include it. The Mountain Dew Fandom wiki details ingredient lists for many flavors.
Pepsi: 'Pepsi Wild Cherry' is one of the PepsiCo products known to contain Red Dye 40. As PepsiCo explores transitioning to natural colorings, this may change over time.
Dr Pepper: While regular Dr Pepper does not contain red dye, flavored varieties such as 'Cherry Dr Pepper' and 'Dr Pepper Cherry Zero Sugar' list Red 40 in their ingredients.
Fanta: The strawberry and orange flavors often contain Red 40. Fanta varieties can vary by region, so checking local labels is crucial.
Crush: Strawberry and Grape flavored Crush sodas typically use Red Dye 40.

Comparison of Red Dye in Popular Pops


Pop Brand/Flavor	Red Dye Used	Alternative Options	Notes
Mountain Dew Code Red	Red 40	Regular Mountain Dew (contains Yellow 5), many clear sodas	Vibrant red color, popular for its cherry flavor.
Pepsi Wild Cherry	Red 40	Regular Pepsi (caramel color), Diet Pepsi	Manufacturers are exploring natural dyes; labels may change.
Cherry Dr Pepper	Red 40	Regular Dr Pepper (caramel color), Sprite, 7 Up	Only the cherry-flavored variants contain Red 40.
Fanta Strawberry	Red 40	Fanta's Grape flavor (often Red 40) or citrus flavors (often Yellow dyes)	Uses Red 40 for its intense strawberry color.
Crush Strawberry	Red 40	Clear sodas like Sierra Mist (or newer alternatives)	A classic strawberry-flavored soda that relies on artificial color.
Big Red Cream Soda	Red 40	Specific natural soda brands, clear options	A long-standing product known for its distinct red color from Red 40.

Potential Health Concerns and Alternatives

Health concerns associated with Red Dye 40 are a frequent topic of discussion among consumers and health professionals. While the FDA considers it safe for general consumption within acceptable daily intake levels, some studies and reports suggest links to allergic reactions, migraines, and heightened hyperactivity in sensitive children. Notably, some European and state-level regulations have been more stringent, with companies in the EU requiring labels stating potential effects on activity and attention in children.

For those looking to avoid synthetic red dyes, several alternatives exist:

Clear and Natural Sodas: Many lemon-lime and other clear sodas do not contain red dyes. Look for brands that explicitly state 'natural colors' or 'no artificial colors' on their labels.
Natural Colorants: Some manufacturers use natural sources like beet juice extract or annatto to achieve a red color. Always check the ingredient list for clarity.
Water and Juice: The simplest alternatives are water, sparkling water, or fruit juice, which can be mixed for a flavorful beverage without added dyes.

The Evolution of Red Dyes in Beverages

Historically, various red dyes have been used in the food and beverage industry. For example, some products once contained Red Dye 3, or erythrosine, before the 2025 FDA ban took effect. Other, less common red colorants like Carmine (derived from insects) have also been used in soft drinks and other food products, which may be relevant for those with dietary restrictions. The evolving regulatory landscape and increasing consumer demand for natural ingredients are pushing many companies to reformulate their products. Consumers can expect to see more natural colorants and fewer synthetic dyes in their favorite products over time.

Conclusion

While many popular red-colored pops contain artificial red dyes, primarily Red Dye 40, consumers have options. Staying informed by reading ingredient labels is the best way to control what you consume. With increasing research into the potential health effects of synthetic dyes and pressure from advocacy groups, the beverage industry is gradually shifting toward natural colorants. Choosing clear sodas, naturally colored beverages, or simply water can be easy ways to avoid synthetic red dyes. The journey to more transparent and naturally-sourced ingredients in soft drinks is ongoing, but consumer awareness is a powerful catalyst for change. FDA: Color Additives History

Frequently Asked Questions

Red Dye 40 is a separate synthetic dye from petroleum that is still legal in food and drugs, though concerns exist. Red Dye 3 was banned by the FDA in January 2025 due to evidence linking it to cancer in laboratory rats, though the ban has a transition period for manufacturers.

Yes, Mountain Dew Code Red contains Red 40, as listed in its ingredients. Other flavored Mountain Dew varieties like Voltage also contain red dyes.

Companies use synthetic dyes like Red 40 because they are inexpensive, stable, and create more vibrant and consistent colors than most natural alternatives. Natural colors are often more expensive and less stable over time.

Yes, some smaller or specialty brands use natural colorants, such as beet juice or carmine. You must read the ingredient labels carefully to confirm, as their use is not widespread in mainstream soda brands.

While the FDA considers Red Dye 40 safe in small amounts, some individuals, particularly sensitive children, may experience behavioral effects like hyperactivity. Allergic reactions and migraines have also been reported in susceptible individuals.

While not banned nationally in the U.S., some regions have implemented restrictions. The European Union requires a warning label on products with Red 40, and some U.S. states like California have banned it from school foods.

No, regular Dr Pepper typically does not contain red dye. It gets its color from caramel coloring. However, cherry-flavored varieties of Dr Pepper do contain Red 40.