Red 40

Definition

Red 40 (Allura Red) is a dark red synthetic dye made from petroleum and used in cereal, candies, drinks and condiments. It is one of the most used and most controversial artificial colorings.

Also Known As

Red #40, RED NO. 40, Red 40 Lake, allura red, Allura red AC

Health Impact

Some people, especially children, may be sensitive to food dyes, and have experienced allergic reactions when consuming them. Artificial food dyes have also been linked to increased behavioral problems in children, especially those with ADHD, because they may cause chemical changes in the brain, inflammation, and depletion of minerals that are important to growth and development.

Sources

• Potential impacts of synthetic food dyes on activity and attention in children: a review of the human and animal evidence

  BioMed Central (BMC)

• Artificial Food Colors and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Symptoms: Conclusions to Dye for

  US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health

• Food Dyes: A Rainbow of Risk

  Center for Science in the Public Interest

• Mechanisms of behavioral, atopic, and other reactions to artificial food colors in children

  Pub Med

• Color Additives Questions and Answers for Consumers

  Food and Drug Administration

• Artificial colorings (synthetic food dyes)

  Center for Science in the Public Interest