What Popular Drinks Have Red Dye 40?

October 11, 2025 •

3 min read

Recent FDA updates indicate plans to address Red Dye 40 in the food supply, with a set deadline. Recognizing which drinks contain Red Dye 40 empowers people to make informed dietary choices.

Quick Summary

This article explores many popular drinks that use Red Dye 40, such as sodas and sports drinks, discussing the health considerations and providing guidance on how to spot this dye and potential alternatives.

Key Points

Sodas and Soft Drinks: Many cherry and red-flavored sodas, including Mountain Dew Code Red and Pepsi Wild Cherry, contain Red Dye 40.
Sports and Energy Drinks: Popular performance drinks like Gatorade Fruit Punch use Red Dye 40 for their vibrant color.
Juice and Mixes: Common options like Hawaiian Punch and certain pink lemonade mixes are often colored with Red Dye 40.
Health Concerns: Some studies suggest a potential link between Red Dye 40 and hyperactivity in sensitive children.
Regulatory Changes: The FDA has announced plans to phase out Red Dye 40 by late 2026, building on regulations in regions like California.
Identification: Check ingredient lists for 'Red 40' or 'Allura Red AC' to avoid it.
Natural Alternatives: Drinks can be naturally colored using ingredients like beet juice, pomegranate juice, and paprika.

Understanding Red Dye 40

Red Dye 40, also labeled as Allura Red AC or FD&C Red No. 40, is a synthetic food coloring derived from petroleum. It is one of the most widely used color additives in the United States, providing a bright red hue to many processed food and drink products. Though the FDA has approved its use, consumer and regulatory concerns have increased scrutiny, leading some jurisdictions to ban or restrict it, prompting an FDA phase-out plan.

Popular Sodas and Soft Drinks

Many sodas, especially those with red, cherry, or strawberry flavors, contain Red Dye 40. The dye enhances the visual appeal of these drinks, making them look vibrant. Reviewing the ingredient list is the most certain way to confirm its presence.

Mountain Dew Code Red: This soda's characteristic red color comes from Red Dye 40.
Pepsi Wild Cherry: This cola includes Red Dye 40 to achieve its cherry color.
Big Red: This bright red cream soda will have Red Dye 40 removed by 2026, according to recent reporting.
Crush (Strawberry): The strawberry flavor of this popular soda lists Red Dye 40 among its ingredients.
Some versions of Fanta (Strawberry): Fanta's strawberry flavor has been known to contain this dye.

Sports and Energy Drinks

Many sports and energy drinks rely on artificial dyes like Red Dye 40. These drinks, often consumed for performance and hydration, may contain an additive some consumers prefer to avoid.

Gatorade (Fruit Punch): The red Fruit Punch flavor of this sports drink is colored with Red Dye 40.
Monster Ultra Fantasy Ruby Red: Some flavors of Monster energy drinks list Red Dye 40.
C4 Energy Drink (Starburst Cherry): This energy drink includes Red Dye 40 in its ingredient list.

Juice and Drink Mixes

Convenience drinks, especially those marketed to children, are another common source of Red Dye 40. These products often have an unnatural, vibrant color.

Hawaiian Punch: The red flavor of this fruit punch is colored with Red Dye 40.
Kool-Aid Mixes: Many red-flavored Kool-Aid powder mixes use Red Dye 40.
Pink Lemonade Mixes: Certain pink lemonade mixes contain Red Dye 40.

Cocktail Mixers

Red Dye 40 is also found in some cocktail mixers, which can be overlooked by consumers.

Bacardi Strawberry Daiquiri Non-Alcoholic Frozen Mixer: This product uses Red Dye 40.
Frankford Tequila Sunrise: This cocktail mixer contains Red Dye 40.

Health Considerations and Regulations

The FDA has long considered Red Dye 40 safe, but recent findings and public pressure have prompted re-evaluation. Concerns include potential links to hyperactivity in children, possible allergic reactions, and animal studies suggesting links to DNA damage and gut inflammation. As a result, regulations are changing.


Feature	Red Dye 40 Drink	Natural Alternative	Key Difference
Sodas	Pepsi Wild Cherry	Zevia Cherry Cola	Uses stevia and vegetable juice for color instead of artificial dyes and sugar.
Sports Drinks	Gatorade Fruit Punch	BodyArmor Strawberry Banana	Uses coconut water and fruit/vegetable juice concentrates for color and flavor.
Juice	Hawaiian Punch	Lakewood Organic Pomegranate Cherry Juice	Made from real organic fruit juices, naturally colored and sweetened.
Cocktail Mixers	Bacardi Frozen Daiquiri Mix	Homemade Grenadine	Made with fresh pomegranate juice and sugar, avoiding synthetic colors.

Identifying and Avoiding Red Dye 40

Consumers wanting to avoid this additive should check beverage labels for “Red 40,” “FD&C Red No. 40,” or “Allura Red AC.” Choosing organic products or those labeled dye-free is another strategy. Many brands are already offering naturally colored versions or reformulating their products.

The Shift Towards Natural Alternatives

Growing consumer awareness has led many manufacturers to explore natural substitutes for synthetic dyes. Common replacements include beet juice, paprika extract, annatto, and fruit juice concentrates. While these may result in a less vibrant shade, they offer a more natural, clean-label product. Homemade options, such as using pomegranate juice for grenadine, are also an excellent way to guarantee a dye-free experience. This shift is in line with the evolving regulatory landscape and reflects a broader trend towards cleaner eating.

Conclusion

Red Dye 40 is common in popular drinks such as sodas, sports drinks, and cocktail mixers. While it has been widely used, health concerns and regulatory changes, including the announced FDA phase-out, indicate a move away from synthetic food colorings. By reading labels and seeking natural alternatives, people can avoid drinks with Red Dye 40, opting for products with more transparent ingredients.

Frequently Asked Questions

Red Dye 40, also known as Allura Red AC, is a synthetic food coloring derived from petroleum and used to give a bright red color to processed foods and beverages.

No, Red Dye 40 is not the same as Red Dye 3. The FDA announced a phase-out of Red 3 based on health concerns and plans a separate phase-out of Red 40.

Some studies suggest a link between Red Dye 40 and hyperactivity in sensitive children. The FDA has acknowledged that a subset may be sensitive. Some European countries require warning labels.

Yes, many natural alternatives are available, such as beet juice, paprika extract, and pomegranate juice.

Check the ingredient label for 'Red 40', 'FD&C Red No. 40', or 'Allura Red AC'.

While not banned everywhere, regulations are changing. The FDA announced a phase-out in the U.S., and California passed a law to ban it from school foods starting in 2028. Europe requires warning labels, and countries like Norway and Iceland have bans.

While natural juices are usually dye-free, some fruit-flavored juice blends and mixes, like certain Hawaiian Punch products, use Red Dye 40. Always check the label, even if the flavor seems natural.