Red Flags in Your Food: The Truth About Artificial Dyes - AI Podcast
Story at-a-glance
- Over 36,000 U.S. processed foods contain Red 40, a petroleum-based dye, while 8,000 products include Red 3, a known carcinogen that causes thyroid tumors in animals
- Artificial food dyes like Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6 and Blue 1 are linked to behavioral issues in children, including hyperactivity, restlessness and attention difficulties
- The FDA banned Red 3 from cosmetics in 1990 but only banned it from food in January 2025; food manufacturers have until 2027 to remove it completely
- Europe requires warning labels on foods with certain dyes, prompting companies to use natural alternatives, while the same products in the U.S. continue using petroleum-based dyes without warnings
- Parents can protect their families by reading ingredient lists, choosing dye-free alternatives, replacing processed foods with whole foods and using natural colorants like turmeric and beet juice
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