The Red Menace: is it real!?

Food dyes are used to make food more appealing, replace natural color lost during processing, or to help us recognize products at a glance (i.e. drugs) (11).

Red 40, or Allura Red, is a synthetic dye used to give foods like candies, drinks, and cereals a vibrant red hue (3). While some claim it causes allergies, hyperactivity in kids, or even cancer, the evidence tells a different story. Allergic reactions are very rare and mild, there’s limited evidence linking it to hyperactivity in certain children with ADHD, and no conclusive proof it causes cancer in humans (3,4,8-13).

The truth? Red 40 is poorly absorbed and mostly excreted in the feces (3,11). It’s regulated for safety, with most people consuming well below the acceptable daily intake (3).

Don’t forget that foods with high concentration of Red 40 are often ultra-processed and high in sugar, salt, and fat, which pose their own health risks in excess (29,30). So, is it the dye, the other ingredients, or a mix of both? 🤷

Remember, food safety is about balance and informed choices, not fear.

Thank you to the amazing @myriam.beaudry.dtp for the collaboration and support in writing this post!