Doritos have Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, and MSG. Cheetos have Yellow 5, Yellow 6. Goldfish Colors have Red 40, Yellow 5, Blue 2, and TBHQ. These are the three most popular kids snacks in America and they are all banned in multiple countries. Here is what to buy instead.
Reviewed for clarity & usefulness by the BannedPantry Parent Panel
| Product | Banned Ingredients | Banned In | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Doritos Nacho Cheese | Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Red 40, MSG | EU warning label required for all 3 dyes | AVOID |
| Cheetos Original | Yellow 5, Yellow 6 | EU warning label required | CAUTION |
| Goldfish Colors | Red 40, Yellow 5, Blue 2, TBHQ | EU dye warnings; TBHQ not permitted | AVOID |
| Froot Loops | Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1, BHT | EU dye warnings; BHT restricted | AVOID |
| Lucky Charms | Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1 (6 dye forms) | EU dye warnings required | AVOID |
| Pop-Tarts Strawberry | Red 40, Yellow 5, TBHQ | EU dye warnings; TBHQ not permitted | AVOID |
The EU requires warning labels on Red 40, Yellow 5, and Yellow 6 because of the 2007 Lancet study (McCann et al. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(07)61306-3) showing statistically significant hyperactivity increases in children. Rather than print warnings, manufacturers reformulate for EU markets.
Budget strategy: replace the highest-score AVOID products first. Goldfish Colors and Lucky Charms are the most flagged. Keep CAUTION-only products as occasional treats. Siete chips are at Walmart. Annies Cheddar Bunnies at Costco. Use BannedPantry scanner at the store before buying.
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