What Food Dyes Should You Avoid?

Yellow 5, Yellow 6, and Red 40 :

• Lobby your government representatives to push for the removal of toxic dyes
• Get educated about what is in your food
• Use your purchasing power and avoid foods with toxic dyes
• Write to companies expressing your views
• Buy organic, but still look for dyes
• Cleanse and detox your body to remove accumulated chemicals

Weapons experts say up to one in 10 of the cluster bomb units fail to explode on impact and pose a considerable danger, particularly to children who are attracted to them because of their bright coloring. Cluster bombs have been used by the U.S. since the Vietnam War.

There is no conclusive evidence that food dyes are dangerous for most people. Nevertheless, they may cause allergic reactions in some people and hyperactivity in sensitive children. However, most food dyes are found in unhealthy processed foods that should be avoided anyway.

What Is the Solution?

• Lobby your government representatives to push for the removal of toxic dyes
• Get educated about what is in your food
• Use your purchasing power and avoid foods with toxic dyes
• Write to companies expressing your views
• Buy organic, but still look for dyes
• Cleanse and detox your body to remove accumulated chemicals

Common Food Additives and Possibly Harmful Ingredients

• Trans Fat.
• Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) This flavor enhancer is added to savory foods to make them have that ultra-addictive flavor.
• Sodium Nitrite.
• Guar Gum.
• Yeast Extract.
• Carrageenan.
• High-Fructose Corn Syrup.
• Artificial Sweeteners.
• Artificial Food Coloring.
• Artificial Flavoring.

How to remove artificial food dyes from diet?

Healthy Whole Foods Are Naturally Free of Dyes. The best way to remove artificial food dyes from your diet is to focus on eating whole, unprocessed foods. Unlike processed foods, most whole foods are highly nutritious. Here are a few foods that are naturally dye-free:

Erythrosine, also known as Red 3, is the most controversial dye. Male rats given erythrosine had an increased risk of thyroid tumors ( 23, 24 ).

The most concerning claim about artificial food dyes is that they cause cancer.

Artificial Dyes Currently Used in Food. The following food dyes are approved for use by both the EFSA and the FDA ( 4, 5 ): Red No. 3 (Erythrosine): A cherry-red coloring commonly used in candy, popsicles and cake-decorating gels.

In fact, artificial food dye consumption has increased by 500% in the last 50 years, and children are the biggest consumers ( 1, 2, 3 ).

Food manufacturers often prefer artificial food dyes over natural food colorings, such as beta carotene and beet extract, because they produce a more vibrant color.

People have added colorings to food for centuries, but the first artificial food colorings were created in 1856 from coal tar. Nowadays, food dyes are made from petroleum. Over the years, hundreds of artificial food dyes have been developed, but a majority of them have since been found to be toxic.

When was food dye invented?

The first synthetic food color was obtained from bituminous coal and introduced in 1856. Today’s food coloring may be more sophisticated, but big food companies like Kraft, General Mills, Campbell’s Soup Taco Bell, …

The signature yellow-orange of the dye has found its way into foods like boxed macaroni and cheese, chips, bakery goods, cereals, beverages, dessert powders, candies, gelatin desserts, sausage, and some pharmaceuticals drugs.

Blue 2 is also used to highlight issues in the urinary tract, coloring urine blue and making leaks apparent. This practice has seen dangerous blood pressure increases in some people.

Touted as an alternative to Red 3, Red 40 is also known as Allura Red or Food Red 17. It is a dark red powder made from petroleum and can contain aluminum, other heavy metals, and cochineal beetles (a common ingredient in red dyes). The most commonly used synthetic food coloring in the United States, it can be found in fruit cocktail, candy, …

Since its introduction as one of the 7 approved synthetic colors listed in the Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906, there have been numerous attempts to ban Red 3 from food due to its health risks. Although erythrosine has been banned in cosmetics and topical drugs in the United States since 1990, industry pressure has succeeded in keeping it as an …

Yellow 6. Though it is primarily labeled as Yellow 6 in the U.S., this dye actually provides an orange color. Some of its other names include Sunset Yellow, Monoazo, and Orange Yellow S. This dye is banned in Norway, Finland, and Sweden and required to be labeled in the E.U.

Other reported side effects include migraines, jitteriness, inability to concentrate, and upset stomach.

What are artificial sweeteners?

Common types of artificial sweeteners include aspartame, sucralose, saccharin and acesulfame potassium. Studies show that artificial sweeteners can aid in weight loss and help manage blood sugar levels.

Common sources of carrageenan include almond milk, cottage cheese, ice cream, coffee creamers and dairy-free products like vegan cheese.

To minimize your intake of sodium benzoate, check the labels of your food carefully. Avoid foods that contain ingredients like benzoic acid, benzene or benzoate, especially if combined with a source of vitamin C such as citric acid or ascorbic acid. Sodium benzoate may be associated with increased hyperactivity.

Monosodium glutamate, or MSG, is a common food additive used to intensify and enhance the flavor of savory dishes. It’s found in a variety of processed foods like frozen dinners, salty snacks and canned soups. It’s also often added to foods at restaurants and fast food places. ).

They are used to enhance the flavor, appearance or texture of a product, or to extend its shelf life. Some of these substances have been associated with adverse health effects and should be avoided, while others are safe and can be consumed with minimal risk.

Otherwise, if you’re able to tolerate MSG, it can be safely consumed in moderation without the risk of adverse side effects. Summary. MSG is used to enhance the flavor of many processed foods. Some people may have a sensitivity to MSG, but it’s safe for most people when used in moderation.

Trusted Source. ). Research also shows there may be a connection between trans fats and diabetes.