The Impact of Synthetic Food Dyes on Health

A food coloring is a dye, pigment, or substance that, when added to food, drugs, or cosmetics, is able to provide color.

“According to the FDA, dyes are used to confer color to food that has lost it and to improve the color or provide it to uncolored food to make it attractive.” Appealing food colors stimulate the consumption of different food products.

Artificial dyes are found in thousands of foods. In particular breakfast cereals, candy, snacks, beverages, vitamins, and other products are colored with dyes. Generally found in processed foods high in refined carbohydrates and of low nutritional value.

Even some fresh oranges are dipped in dye to brighten them and provide uniform color.¹

Artificial food dyes are made from petroleum and have been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). They come in many forms consisting of liquids, powders, gels, and pastes.