Hue knew?
Nearly one in five US packaged foods and drinks contain synthetic food dyes, according to a startling new study of 40,000 grocery items.
The findings come amid a push by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to eliminate petroleum-based food colorings from the nation’s food supply.
While regulatory agencies have generally considered artificial food dyes safe, a growing body of research suggests they may be linked to hyperactivity, irritability and other potential health issues in kids.
“Given the accumulation of evidence over the last 40 years pointing to the health harms of synthetic dyes, it’s disappointing to see that they’re still so prevalent in our food system, particularly in products that are designed to appeal to children,” said Elizabeth Dunford, a research fellow at The George Institute for Global Health.
Dunford’s team evaluated the ingredients in products beloved by children — candy, sugary beverages, ready-to-eat meals, breakfast cereals and baked goods like cakes, cookies and pastries.
Some 28% of these items contained synthetic dyes compared to 11% of other types of fare, according to the findings published Wednesday in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
The researchers determined that confectionery companies had the most products with synthetic dyes. Ferrero (60%) and Mars (52%) were named the “worst offenders.”
Around 79% of sports drinks were found to have these dyes, with researchers highlighting that 51% of PepsiCo’s energy drinks contain them.
The Post reached out to these companies for comment.
“Ferrero and its related companies, including Ferrara Candy Company, are and will continue to be in compliance with local, state and federal laws and regulations, including those related to food additives. Our products are safe to enjoy,” a Ferrero spokesperson told The Post.
PepsiCo said in April that it has been phasing out artificial colors.
Remarkably, the average sugar content of synthetically dyed products was more than double that of foods without the dyes, the study also found.
“The high levels of sugar in these brightly colored products suggests that companies are using synthetic dyes to market sweet foods and beverages, but both ingredients are linked to poor health outcomes,” said Dunford, an adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Nutrition at the University of North Carolina.
The study was denounced by the National Confectioners Association (NCA), which accused the researchers of “major gaps in their analysis.”
“For instance, this report measures the amount of dyes in the food system but ignores exposure to consumers,” Christopher Gindlesperger, NCA senior vice president of public affairs and communications, told The Post in a statement.
“According to the federal government’s National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), people in the US enjoy chocolate and candy two to three times per week, averaging just 40 calories and about one teaspoon of added sugar per day — which is far less than the other categories of food examined.”
The Food and Drug Administration already announced plans in April to phase out six dyes — Blue 1, Blue 2, Green 3, Red 40, Yellow 5 and Yellow 6 — by the end of 2026.
Two other dyes, Citrus Red No. 2 and Orange B, are on the chopping block as well.
RFK Jr. also encouraged companies to speed up their removal of Red No. 3, which is supposed to be out of food by January 2027.
Several states have taken separate action to regulate or ban certain synthetic dyes used in food.
While these rules take effect, Dunford recommends parents and consumers check ingredient labels for synthetic dyes and high levels of added sugar.
“If a product contains either, you are better off not buying it, especially for your kids,” she said.
