A new study reveals that 19% of U.S. packaged foods and beverages contain synthetic dyes linked to health issues. With many products aimed at children, researchers are calling for stricter regulations and consumer vigilance.
A significant portion of U.S. packaged foods and beverages contains synthetic food dyes, research finds, raising concerns about health impacts and prompting calls for regulatory changes.
A study published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics reveals that 19% of packaged foods and drinks in U.S. grocery stores contain synthetic dyes. These additives, often used to enhance the visual appeal of products, are particularly prevalent in items marketed to children.
The research, conducted by The George Institute for Global Health, the University of North Carolina and the Center for Science in the Public Interest, analyzed ingredient data from 39,763 products made by the top 25 U.S. food manufacturers.
It found that synthetic dyes were present in 28% of confectionery, sugar-sweetened beverages, ready meals, breakfast cereals and baked goods.
“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,” Elizabeth Dunford, a research fellow at The George Institute and an adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Nutrition at the University of North Carolina, said in a news release. “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.”
Synthetic dyes have been linked to behavioral problems like hyperactivity and inattention, particularly in children. This mounting evidence has not yet led to consistent regulatory changes in the United States, although some progress is being made.
“The FDA recently asked the food industry to voluntarily phase synthetic dyes out of the food supply, but many companies had previously made promises to stop using them and then failed to keep those promises. So, it remains to be seen if food companies will comply with this new request,” added Thomas Galligan, the principal scientist for food additives and supplements at the Center for Science in the Public Interest. “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. Those warnings would also ensure consumers are better able to protect themselves from products sold by companies who choose not to phase dyes out entirely.”
Among the companies analyzed, Ferrero and Mars stood out, with 60% and 52% of their products, respectively, containing synthetic dyes. PepsiCo’s energy drinks had synthetic dyes in over half (51%) of the samples, and 79% of all sports drinks, across various brands, contained these dyes.
While the United States has been slower to regulate synthetic dyes, there have been some promising steps at the state level.
Dunford found it encouraging that dozens of U.S. states have introduced bills this year targeting synthetic dyes, adding that the research results are likely to be of immediate use to policymakers as they advance this work
“But until the regulatory process catches up with the science, parents and health-conscious consumers should always check the ingredients label for synthetic dyes and for high levels of added sugar. If a product contains either, you are better off not buying it, especially for your kids,” Dunford added.