Artificial Colors
AdditiveOverview
Synthetic food colors like Red 40, Yellow 5, and Blue 1 are petroleum-derived additives found in over 36,000 food products in the USDA branded foods database. These certified colors represent clear indicators of ultra-processed foods requiring government oversight through FDA batch certification.
214,203
Products contain this
6,424
Ingredient variations
Common forms
Red 40, Yellow 5, Blue 1, synthetic dyes, FD&C colors
Function
Artificial colors provide consistent, vibrant coloration that remains stable under processing conditions, storage, and light exposure. They enable manufacturers to create appealing visual presentations that may not be achievable with natural color sources, particularly in candy, beverages, and baked goods.
Sources
Red 40 (Allura Red AC), Yellow 5 (Tartrazine), and Blue 1 are synthesized through multi-step chemical processes in specialized laboratories using petroleum-derived compounds. These colors require precise chemical synthesis techniques with no equivalent in traditional food preparation methods.
Health Considerations
These synthetic colors contain benzidine, classified as a human and animal carcinogen, though at levels the FDA considers below concern thresholds. Research has linked artificial colors to behavioral effects in sensitive children, leading to mandatory warning labels in Europe since 2010.
Regulatory
The FDA requires batch certification for all synthetic colors, analyzing representative samples before commercial use. The agency has announced ongoing review of synthetic dye safety based on emerging research about potential health effects.
Common Variations (50 total)
Products Containing Artificial Colors
Showing 12 of 214,203 products, sorted by processing level