Synthetic dyes found in 19% of US foods and drinks — ‘worst offenders’ ID’d in new study

Hue knew?

Nearly 1 successful 5 US packaged foods and drinks incorporate synthetic nutrient dyes, according to a startling caller study of 40,000 market items.

The findings travel amid a push by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to eliminate petroleum-based nutrient colorings from nan nation’s nutrient supply.

While regulatory agencies person mostly considered artificial nutrient dyes safe, a increasing assemblage of research suggests they whitethorn beryllium linked to hyperactivity, irritability and different imaginable wellness issues successful kids.

“Given nan accumulation of grounds complete nan past 40 years pointing to nan wellness harms of synthetic dyes, it’s disappointing to spot that they’re still truthful prevalent successful our nutrient system, peculiarly successful products that are designed to entreaty to children,” said Elizabeth Dunford, a investigation chap astatine The George Institute for Global Health.

Dunford’s squad evaluated nan ingredients successful products beloved by children — candy, sugary beverages, ready-to-eat meals, meal cereals and baked equipment for illustration cakes, cookies and pastries.

Some 28% of these items contained synthetic dyes compared to 11% of different types of fare, according to nan findings published Wednesday successful the Journal of nan Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

The researchers wished that confectionery companies had nan astir products pinch synthetic dyes. Ferrero (60%) and Mars (52%) were named nan “worst offenders.”

Around 79% of sports drinks were recovered to person these dyes, pinch researchers highlighting that 51% of PepsiCo’s power drinks incorporate them.

The Post reached retired to these companies for comment.

“Ferrero and its related companies, including Ferrara Candy Company, are and will proceed to beryllium successful compliance pinch local, authorities and national laws and regulations, including those related to nutrient additives. Our products are safe to enjoy,” a Ferrero spokesperson told The Post.

PepsiCo said successful April that it has been phasing retired artificial colors.

Remarkably, nan mean sweetener contented of synthetically dyed products was much than double that of foods without nan dyes, nan study besides found.

“The precocious levels of sweetener successful these brightly colored products suggests that companies are utilizing synthetic dyes to marketplace saccharine foods and beverages, but some ingredients are linked to mediocre wellness outcomes,” said Dunford, an adjunct adjunct professor successful nan Department of Nutrition astatine nan University of North Carolina.

The study was denounced by nan National Confectioners Association (NCA), which accused nan researchers of “major gaps successful their analysis.”

“For instance, this study measures nan magnitude of dyes successful nan nutrient strategy but ignores vulnerability to consumers,” Christopher Gindlesperger, NCA elder vice president of nationalist affairs and communications, told The Post successful a statement.

“According to nan national government’s National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), group successful nan US bask cocoa and candy 2 to 3 times per week, averaging conscionable 40 calories and astir 1 spoon of added sweetener per time — which is acold little than nan different categories of nutrient examined.”

The Food and Drug Administration already announced plans successful April to shape retired six dyes — Blue 1, Blue 2, Green 3, Red 40, Yellow 5 and Yellow 6 — by nan extremity of 2026.

Two different dyes, Citrus Red No. 2 and Orange B, are connected nan chopping artifact arsenic well.

RFK Jr. besides encouraged companies to velocity up their removal of Red No. 3, which is expected to beryllium retired of nutrient by January 2027.

Several states person taken abstracted action to modulate aliases prohibition definite synthetic dyes utilized successful food.

While these rules return effect, Dunford recommends parents and consumers cheque constituent labels for synthetic dyes and precocious levels of added sugar.

“If a merchandise contains either, you are amended disconnected not buying it, particularly for your kids,” she said.