Taste the Red 40 

Foods that build the ‘American diet’ such as M&Ms, skittles, and gummy bears appeal to many. With colorful candies and catchy names like ‘Doritos’ and ‘Fun Dip’ disguising secrets big companies attempt to hide from the public eye. Ranging from “fresh” produce to medicine, what do these products have in common? Additives and artificial colorings are often added to make food more vibrant and appealing for customers nationally. Various common food dyes are Red 40, Yellow 5, Red 3, Blue 1, Citrus Red 2, Brown HT, Green 3, and Yellow 6. The FDA approved several of these dyes without considering the detrimental effects they impose on Americans. Many European countries like Norway, Finland, France, Austria, and the UK caught onto the hidden risks and banned all harmful artificial dyes that are commonly found in most U.S products.

“I think one day when the effects settle into society, people will realize how bad dyes really are and by then it’ll be too late.” Said DBHS Sophomore Stephanie Russo.

11.67 billion red skittles are thought to be produced every year, all of which contain Red 40. Red 40 includes hyperactivity (including ADHD), behavioral changes, allergic reactions, and in some cases DNA damage. The diagnosis of ADHD in children increase every year, in 1997, it was 6% and now it’s been the highest in history at 10.47%. This synthetic food dye is created from petroleum (aka crude oil) and is found in underground reservoirs formed in sedentary rocks. Although the FDA hasn’t banned Red 40 yet, they finally discontinued Red No. 3.

“I think the FDA approving synthetic dyes is really irresponsible and is going to hurt our country as a whole.” Said Russo.

Tartrazine is found in coal mines, along with Red 40. This synthetic dye is commonly used in medications, cosmetics, produce, and other food products. Giving food a desired vibrant yellow color, corn companies color their “organic” produce with slug from dirty coal mines. Corn pollinates, leaving neighboring companies struggling to keep their fields separate. And on a larger scale, this could mean that there is no “organic” corn due to cross pollination. The National Center for Genetic Resources Preservation is located in Fort Collins, Colorado. This is the main seed warehouse in America, housing pure, non-genetically modified corn.

“I think this is another clear example of the government’s interest in profit instead of people’s health, which is something seen outside of this issue for many years.” Said DBHS Junior Finn Gordon.

Citrus Red 2, an azo compound, is used to color the skin of oranges. This causes a potential hazard to many while it is explosive, insoluble in water, and emits toxic fumes when heated. It’s mind boggling to think that the FDA has knowledge about these side effects and are still approving and pushing them in America. If companies are labeling their products as “organic” they still could infuse their orange skins, thus leading to the chemicals distributing within the product so it cancels itself out in the long run. In Europe they have “Warning” labels on their foods with dye but in America, they’re hidden in tiny letters near the nutrition label, posing a challenge on visually impaired, ignorant, and young individuals who don’t know the reality of what they’re consuming. Are those “lifesavers” worth suffering the life-threating consequences?

Written by Ava Murcliffe | Graphic Designed by Ava Murcliffe

Published April 28, 2025 | ePathfinder | Feature