Are Artificial Dyes Safe?

Written by Erika Behrmann RD, LDN, CSSD & Holley Samuel Med, RD, CSSD, CPT

Artificial dyes have been getting a lot of visibility and attention in the media the past few years. We are even seeing them in political conversations during the 2024 election. Let’s take a deep dive on the research.

A meta-analysis by Miller et al. for the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment examined the effects of food dyes on children, including those with behavioral disorders. This review included 27 studies on humans and animals regarding the toxicity of synthetic dyes. Results showed that 64% of the studies indicated neurobehavioral changes in children, with 52% of these effects being statistically significant. Both caregivers and teachers observed these behavioral impacts. Specifically, consumption of Yellow No. 5 (Tartrazine) at 50 mg/day was linked to behavioral changes, with 8% of children with ADHD experiencing increased symptoms. Supporting research, such as that by Santos et al., highlighted the cytotoxic and mutagenic effects of Tartrazine, noting adverse impacts on fibroblasts and human gastric cells.

Rambler et al. suggested that one-third of children with ADHD might benefit from eliminating synthetic dyes from their diets. Animal studies also indicated that consumption of FDA-recommended amounts of Blue No. 1 and Blue No. 2 led to hyperactive behaviors. Some researchers hypothesize that artificial dyes may induce nutritional deficiencies impairing neuronal development, potentially linked to heavy metal accumulation, like mercury, due to alterations in zinc and manganese levels caused by the dyes.

Kraemer et al. emphasize that children are particularly vulnerable to the toxic effects of synthetic additives due to their body proportions, increasing their susceptibility to side effects. The authors call for updated research on artificial colors approved by regulatory agencies, as outdated safety data might still be used to justify their safety. A pertinent example is titanium dioxide, once considered safe but now banned in some countries due to emerging toxicity concerns. Studies on its safety have intensified since 2021, including efforts by Brazil's ANVISA.

In the United States, FD&C Red No. 40 comprises between 7% and 9% of the maximum Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) in beverage servings. For children aged 6 to 10, it's recommended not to exceed 10% of the ADI per serving. This suggests that the exposure level for this age group is close to or above the recommended limit. Other dyes seem to be consumed lower than the ADI by children in the US. 

The research on synthetic dyes faces several limitations, including a lack of comprehensive studies on long-term effects, especially concerning children and individuals with food sensitivities. The diversity of synthetic dyes in use complicates result generalization, and inconsistent methodologies undermine study validity. Additionally, isolating the effects of synthetic dyes from other food components is challenging, and uncontrolled individual factors such as diet and lifestyle further complicate result interpretation. These limitations underscore the need for more comprehensive and rigorous investigations into the health effects of synthetic dyes.

In response to concerns about synthetic dyes, there is an increasing interest in replacing them with natural and sustainable alternatives. Natural dyes, derived from plant and animal sources, are regarded as safe for human consumption and possess antioxidant and nutritional benefits. Organic dyes, produced from organic compounds through biotechnological methods, present an eco-friendly option. Additionally, Chatragadda et al. have investigated microbial dyes produced by bacteria as a viable alternative. These emerging dye options have the potential to reduce environmental impacts and provide a healthier, more sustainable choice for health-conscious consumers.

General Mills even tried to take the initiative to replace artificial dyes in its cereals (such as Trix) in 2016. They replaced artificial dyes with natural ones such as purple carrot, radish, and turmeric, but consumers' negative feedback caused General Mills to eventually bring back the "classic" version of Trix Cereal, complete with artificial dyes, onto the market due to consumer demand. We know that color and presentation of food impact consumer decisions and satisfaction. It should be noted that during the few year period of time General Mills cereals did not contain artificial dyes, health trends in the US did not seem to change. This is because the health status of US citizens and overall social determinants of health are multifaceted. 

It is often misunderstood that other countries outside the US, such as European countries, have banned artificial dyes that the US allows. This is not entirely true. In Europe, many of the same artificial dyes are allowed in food products, though labeling is required on these foods stating that they may have an affect on behavior in children. These labels are required on foods that contain Yellow No. 5, Yellow No. 6, and Red No. 40 in Europe, but no such labeling is required in the US. Some dyes go by different names in other countries and have different amounts that are recognized as safe (some of which are higher amounts than in the US). 

The potential harms of synthetic dyes in children, both with and without existing health conditions, necessitate a cautious and proactive approach. Research has shown associations between these additives and various adverse health effects, including hyperactivity, behavioral disorders, and allergic reactions. Children with conditions such as Autism Spectrum Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder may experience exacerbated symptoms and complications in condition management when exposed to synthetic dyes. Even in children without these comorbidities, synthetic dyes can negatively impact cognitive, behavioral, metabolic, and nutritional development. Therefore, it is crucial to educate parents, caregivers, and health professionals about the risks of synthetic dyes and to adopt strategies to minimize children's exposure. Awareness campaigns, improved food labeling, stricter regulatory policies, and promoting a diet with natural ingredients and dyes from natural sources are effective measures to address these concerns. There are many logistical challenges in replacing food ingredients on a broad spectrum, and this should not go without proper acknowledgement. 

In conclusion, it is generally safe for adults to consume artificial dyes in foods on occasion, but it can potentially cause issues with kids and those with ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, and those with allergies and histamine intolerances. 

In case you missed it, Holley did a deep dive on artificial dyes in her Supplement Myth Busting Series on the Holley Fueled Nutrition Podcast earlier this year as well! Check out the podcast episode here.
 

TLDR: dose and context are important before claiming things are toxic or the sole cause of health outcomes. Though occasional artificial dye consumption is safe for most people (though not all, particularly in pediatric populations), most of our nutrition should come from nutrient dense foods. It would be great to see natural dyes used as an alternative, and the health status of people in the US is more complex than solely what types of dyes are used in food.

  1. de Oliveira ZB, Silva da Costa DV, da Silva Dos Santos AC, et al. Synthetic Colors in Food: A Warning for Children's Health. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2024;21(6):682. Published 2024 May 27. doi:10.3390/ijerph21060682

  2. Dos Santos JR, de Sousa Soares L, Soares BM, et al. Cytotoxic and mutagenic effects of the food additive tartrazine on eukaryotic cells. BMC Pharmacol Toxicol. 2022;23(1):95. Published 2022 Dec 23. doi:10.1186/s40360-022-00638-7

  3. Kraemer MVDS, Fernandes AC, Chaddad MCC, et al. Food additives in childhood: a review on consumption and health consequences. Rev Saude Publica. 2022;56:32. Published 2022 May 6. doi:10.11606/s1518-8787.2022056004060

  4. Lehto, S., Buchweitz, M., Klimm, A., Straßburger, R., Bechtold, C., & Ulberth, F. (2017). Comparison of food colour regulations in the EU and the US: a review of current provisions. Food Additives & Contaminants: Part A, 34(3), 335–355. https://doi.org/10.1080/19440049.2016.1274431

  5. Miller MD, Steinmaus C, Golub MS, et al. Potential impacts of synthetic food dyes on activity and attention in children: a review of the human and animal evidence. Environ Health. 2022;21(1):45. Published 2022 Apr 29. doi:10.1186/s12940-022-00849-9

  6. Rambler RM, Rinehart E, Boehmler W, et al. A Review of the Association of Blue Food Coloring With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Symptoms in Children. Cureus. 2022;14(9):e29241. Published 2022 Sep 16. doi:10.7759/cureus.29241

  7. Ramesh C, Vinithkumar NV, Kirubagaran R, Venil CK, Dufossé L. Applications of Prodigiosin Extracted from Marine Red Pigmented Bacteria Zooshikella sp. and Actinomycete Streptomyces sp. Microorganisms. 2020;8(4):556. Published 2020 Apr 13. doi:10.3390/microorganisms8040556

  8. Yuen, Stacey. “Trix cereal is bringing back artificial colors because customers complained”. CNBC Food and Beverage. Published 2017 September 21.
    https://www.cnbc.com/2017/09/21/trix-bringing-back-to-artificial-colors-after-customers-complained.html

Holley Samuel