The Red Deception: The Truth About Red 40

Authored By: Sawandi DeSilva

Art By: Carla Hu

What if you knew that every time you indulged in a bag of Doritos, poured some Fruity Pebbles for breakfast, or had a cup of Hawaiian Punch to quench your thirst, you were consuming dangerous toxins and even putting yourself at risk for cancer? Most of our favorite cravings that contain a reddish tint all have one thing in common… Red 40. But how is this connection established? 

Allura Red AC, also known as Red 40, is one of the nine synthetic food dyes that are approved by the Food & Drug Administration. [1] Its main purpose is to create distinct and uniform colors in consumable products, in other words, to make food look more appealing. This substance seems completely unnecessary, as it serves no contribution to the actual nutrition of the food. However it is no secret that we still tend to consume more brightly colored foods, especially red, because it is perceived as healthier and more fresh in comparison to its dull counterparts according to various studies. 

One of the main issues that researchers have noticed across their studies has been Red 40’s impact on children's behavior. There seems to be a link between consumption of artificial dyes and hyperactivity in toddlers. [2] Out of about 25 studies, more than half identified a positive association between artificial food coloring intake and behavioral outcomes. This is because Red 40 contains specific minerals like zinc and iron which factor in the role of growth in children. [1] Any hypersensitivity to this ingredient can cause allergic reactions like inflammation ultimately leading to neurobehavioral issues. So why is it that despite knowing what this food dye can do to children, we continue to promote foods that have Red 40 in them? 

Due to significant health concerns, countries like the United Kingdom and Switzerland have already taken action to ban the use of Allura Red AC. These bans were enacted after studies raised concerns over the dye’s potential link to carcinogenic effects. [3] Following their lead, California recently passed legislation aimed at phasing out Red 40 as the state clearly prioritizes their people over the industry. The unfortunate truth is that companies value the vibrancy and economic value of Red 40 more than the consumer's health.

Furthermore, Red 40 contains benzene, a known cancer-causing substance which interferes with the production of blood cells in bone marrow. This essentially causes damage to DNA and leads to mutations that can result in cancer. [4] To heighten this argument even more, the World Health Organization (WHO) has classified benzene as a Group 1 carcinogen, confirming that there is a prominent link between benzene exposure and increased risk of cancer. [5] After this came into question, scientists worked diligently to figure out if there really was a correlation apparent between the two. Conducting various studies showed that there was tumor growth in animals that consumed high doses of food dyes including Red 40 and the results were similar in humans. [2]

There are so many healthy alternatives and natural food dyes that can mitigate this issue altogether. It’s really disappointing to see that despite all the potential health risks this dye has caused in humans, the Food and Drug Administration continues to approve of its presence in our foods and drinks. It’s time for the FDA to make the obvious decision, in what is right for the health of our people, and officially ban Red 40 in America. 

Works Cited 

1. Geng, C. (February 25, 2022), Is There a Link between Red Dye40 and ADHD? MedicalNewsToday, https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/red-dye-40-adhd 

2. Is Red Dye 40 Safe? (2023, March 8). Cleveland Clinic. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/red-dye-40 

3. ‌Pederson's Natural Farms. (2024, January 22). The Risks of Red 40: Crucial Facts Uncovered. Pederson’s Natural Farms; Pederson’s Natural Farms. https://pedersonsfarms.com/blogs/blog/the-risks-of-red-40-crucial-facts-uncovered?srsltid=AfmBOooAk4L8evSecAHiSNU3KnffUQc4OR5x7SYp3Lx9gpXalxMhfcyQ 

4. HaVy Ngo-Hamilton, Pharm.D. (2024, May 27). Why Red Dye 40 Could Be Harming Your Health - BuzzRx. Buzzrx; Buzzrx.com. https://www.buzzrx.com/blog/why-is-red-dye-40-bad 

5. Zhang, Q., Chumanevich, A. A., Nguyen, I., Chumanevich, A. A., Sartawi, N., Hogan, J., Khazan, M., Harris, Q., Massey, B., Chatzistamou, I., Buckhaults, P. J., Banister, C. E., Wirth, M., Hebert, J. R., Murphy, E. A., & Hofseth, L. J. (2023). The synthetic food dye, Red 40, causes DNA damage, causes colonic inflammation, and impacts the microbiome in mice. Toxicology Reports, 11(11), 221–232. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.toxrep.2023.08.006