Nearly one in five packaged foods and drinks in the United States contain synthetic food dyes, according to new research that analyzed 39,763 grocery store products.
Synthetic dyes are often added to make foods look more appealing, especially products aimed at children, but a growing body of evidence indicates they may contribute to behavioral problems such as hyperactivity and inattention.
About the new research
Researchers from The George Institute for Global Health, the University of North Carolina and the Center for Science in the Public Interest examined ingredient information for packaged foods and beverages made by the 25 largest U.S. food manufacturers.
They focused on the five food categories most commonly promoted to children: confectionery, sugar-sweetened beverages, ready meals, breakfast cereals, and baked goods such as cakes, cookies and pastries.
Products in these child-targeted categories were significantly more likely to include synthetic dyes. Artificial colors were present in 28 per cent of those products, compared with only 11 per cent in other categories. The study also found that foods containing synthetic dyes had much higher sugar content, averaging 141 per cent more sugar (33.3 g per 100 g compared with 13.8 g per 100 g in products without dyes).
Experts express concern
Dr. Elizabeth Dunford, Research Fellow at The George Institute and Adjunct Assistant Professor, Department of Nutrition at the University of North Carolina, said that the continued presence of synthetic dyes in the food system was a cause for concern.
"Given the accumulation of evidence over the last 40 years pointing to the health harms of synthetic dyes, it's disappointing to see that they're still so prevalent in our food system, particularly in products that are designed to appeal to children," she said.
"The high levels of sugar in these brightly colored products suggests that companies are using synthetic dyes to market sweet foods and beverages, but both ingredients are linked to poor health outcomes."
Major brands among top offenders
Confectionery companies were found to have the highest use of synthetic dyes, with Ferrero (60 per cent) and Mars (52 per cent) leading the list. More than half (51 per cent) of PepsiCo's energy drinks contained synthetic dyes, along with 79 per cent of all sports drinks, regardless of brand.
The researchers said that synthetic food dyes remain unnecessary in the U.S. food supply, yet efforts to remove them have been slow.
The FDA recently asked the food industry to voluntarily phase synthetic dyes out of the food supply. It remains to be seen if food companies will comply with this new request.
If the FDA were to require warning labels on synthetically dyed foods, similar to the rule in place since 2010 in the European Union, there would be a much stronger incentive for industry to reformulate.
Several U.S. states have introduced bills targeting synthetic dyes this year.
Until the regulatory process catches up with the science, parents and health-conscious consumers should always check the ingredients label and avoid buying products with synthetic dyes and/or high levels of added sugar.
Source: Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, September 2025.
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