What snacks have red dye 30?

October 14, 2025 •

4 min read

In January 2025, the FDA officially banned FD&C Red No. 3 (Erythrosine) from use in food and beverages, an action affecting thousands of products. While your search for what snacks have red dye 30 is a common mix-up, it's crucial to understand the regulatory difference and which snacks were previously affected by the Red Dye 3 ban.

Quick Summary

The query 'red dye 30' is a mix-up with the recently banned Red Dye 3 and the separate Red Dye 40. This article clarifies the uses of each dye and lists snacks historically containing Red Dye 3 and currently containing Red Dye 40.

Key Points

Dye Confusion: Red Dye 30 is not approved for food use, but for cosmetics and drugs. Your query likely refers to the similar-sounding Red Dye 3 or the common Red Dye 40.
Red Dye 3 Ban: The FDA officially banned FD&C Red No. 3 from food products in January 2025, with manufacturers having until 2027 to reformulate.
Red Dye 40 is Active: FD&C Red No. 40 remains an FDA-approved color additive and is widely used in snacks like Skittles and Lucky Charms.
Previously with Red Dye 3: Before the ban, snacks like candy corn, maraschino cherries, certain frostings, and strawberry shakes frequently contained Red Dye 3.
Check the Label: The best way to identify food dyes is by reading the ingredient label, which must list all certified color additives.
Natural Alternatives: Many brands are switching to natural colors from sources like beet juice, paprika, and fruit extracts to replace artificial dyes.

The search for snacks containing 'red dye 30' typically stems from a widespread confusion between several different red color additives. The chemical compound D&C Red No. 30 is a synthetic dye approved by the FDA exclusively for use in cosmetics and ingested drugs, not for foods. The additive many consumers are now concerned about is FD&C Red No. 3, also known as Erythrosine, which the FDA banned from food use in January 2025. Furthermore, the most common red food coloring, Red Dye 40 (Allura Red), is still approved for use in the United States and is found in a vast number of snack products.

The FDA Ban on Red Dye 3

For decades, FD&C Red No. 3 was used to impart a bright cherry-red color to thousands of food and beverage products. However, the additive came under increasing scrutiny due to animal studies linking high doses to cancer. The FDA, acting on a 2022 petition, officially revoked its approval based on the Delaney Clause, a law mandating a ban on any food additive found to cause cancer in humans or animals.

Manufacturers were given a grace period to reformulate their products, with the deadline for food and beverage items set for January 15, 2027. This means many products that previously contained Red Dye 3 are in the process of being changed or have already been reformulated with natural alternatives like beet juice or other, currently approved, synthetic dyes such as Red Dye 40.

What snacks had Red Dye 3?

Before the ban, consumers could find Red Dye 3 in a variety of snack foods, typically in items with a prominent red or pink hue. While not all brands used this specific dye, it was common in the following categories:

Candies: Especially seasonal products like candy corn and conversation hearts, as well as jelly beans and certain gummies.
Frostings and Icings: Particularly bright red or pink icing used for decorating cakes and cookies.
Toaster Pastries: Some strawberry-flavored toaster pastries included the dye in their filling or frosting.
Chewing Gum: Certain types of gum, such as Dubble Bubble Original Twist Bubble Gum.
Maraschino Cherries: The vivid red color of maraschino cherries was often achieved with Red Dye 3.
Frozen Desserts: Ice pops and strawberry ice cream were known to contain the additive.
Protein Shakes: Some flavored nutrition or protein shakes, particularly strawberry varieties, included the dye.

Common Snacks Containing Red Dye 40

Unlike Red Dye 3, FD&C Red No. 40 remains an approved color additive by the FDA. It is the most widely used synthetic food color in the U.S. and is present in a huge range of packaged goods. Examples of snacks commonly featuring Red Dye 40 include:

Cereals: Popular brands like Lucky Charms, Froot Loops, and Fruity Pebbles.
Candies: Skittles, Swedish Fish, and Wild Cherry Lifesavers.
Chips: Many flavored corn and potato chips, such as certain varieties of Doritos.
Beverages: Fruit punches, sports drinks (like some Gatorade flavors), and some carbonated sodas.
Snack Cakes: Some varieties of colorful snack cakes and treats.

Comparison of Red Dyes in Snacks

To help clarify the differences, this table outlines the regulatory status and typical uses of the different red dyes consumers encounter.


Feature	D&C Red No. 30	FD&C Red No. 3 (Erythrosine)	FD&C Red No. 40 (Allura Red)
Approval Status (USA)	Approved for cosmetics and drugs.	Banned for food/ingested drugs (Jan 2025).	Approved for food, drugs, and cosmetics.
Food Use	Never approved for food.	Previously used in thousands of food products. Now prohibited.	Widely used in a vast range of snacks, cereals, and drinks.
Primary Concerns	Allergic reactions (rare).	Linked to cancer in animal studies; banned under Delaney Clause.	Behavioral issues in children (research mixed); generally considered safe by FDA.
Common Examples	Not applicable to food.	Was in candy corn, maraschino cherries, some icing. Now being removed.	Found in Skittles, Lucky Charms, Gatorade, many other snacks.

Reading Ingredient Labels to Find Dyes

The most reliable method to determine if a snack contains any artificial coloring is to read the ingredient list on the packaging. The FDA mandates that certified color additives must be listed by name, such as “FD&C Red No. 40” or “FD&C Red 3”. After the 2025 ban and until the January 2027 deadline, products might still contain Red Dye 3, but manufacturers are actively phasing it out.

For those seeking to avoid synthetic dyes altogether, look for products that list natural alternatives. Many companies now use ingredients like beet juice concentrate, paprika, or fruit and vegetable extracts to achieve a red color. Additionally, some brands market their snacks as having “no artificial colors.”

Conclusion: Making Informed Choices About Snack Dyes

In summary, the query about what snacks have red dye 30 is a misconception; that dye is not approved for food use. The focus should be on the now-banned Red Dye 3 (Erythrosine) and the still-prevalent Red Dye 40 (Allura Red). The FDA's action to ban Red Dye 3 reflects a broader shift toward greater transparency and consumer safety in food manufacturing. By reading ingredient labels carefully, consumers can navigate these changes and make informed choices about the snacks they eat, opting for natural colors or other approved alternatives as desired. The recent FDA ban, though phased, marks a significant change for the food industry and a victory for consumer advocacy groups who have long sought the additive's removal.

Visit the official FDA website for more details on color additive regulations.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, Red Dye 30 is a different synthetic colorant approved exclusively for cosmetics and external drugs, whereas Red Dye 3 was previously used in foods until its ban in January 2025.

The FDA banned Red Dye 3 based on animal studies that linked high doses of the dye to cancer. The action was required by the Delaney Clause of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.

The FDA announced the ban in January 2025, but manufacturers have until January 2027 to comply and reformulate their food and beverage products. You may still encounter products with Red Dye 3 on shelves during this transition period.

You can determine if a snack contains a specific red dye by reading the ingredient list on the packaging. All certified color additives, like 'FD&C Red No. 40,' must be explicitly listed.

Red Dye 40 is common in snacks such as Skittles, Lucky Charms, certain flavors of Gatorade, some cereals, and many other fruit-flavored candies and snacks.

Natural food colorings, like those from beets or paprika, are often perceived as safer. While generally well-tolerated, it is still possible for individuals to have sensitivities or allergies to naturally derived colorants.

Many countries, including those in the European Union, Australia, and New Zealand, banned or restricted Red Dye 3 long before the U.S. ban. Imported products must comply with the new U.S. regulations.

For home baking, you can use natural alternatives such as beet juice concentrate, beet powder, cranberry juice, or pomegranate juice to achieve a red color without synthetic dyes.