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Safe alternatives to products containing Red Dye 40

Red Dye 40 is banned in Norway (historical, 1978–2001), Finland (historical) but still found in many US foods. Here are clean swaps.

🚫 Banned in Norway (historical, 1978–2001)🚫 Banned in Finland (historical)

Why people avoid Red Dye 40

Red Dye 40 (Allura Red AC) is a petroleum-derived synthetic dye used for red/orange coloring. The EU requires a warning label: "may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children." Many US snacks, cereals, and beverages contain it.

Full Red Dye 40 breakdown →

Clean brands to switch to

Snacks
Snacks

Siete Family Foods Tortilla Chips

Grain-free tortilla chips

Zero synthetic dyes. Colored naturally.

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Breakfast
Breakfast

Nature's Path Organic Cereals

USDA Organic cereals

No Red 40, no synthetic colors. Certified organic.

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Snacks
Snacks

Simple Mills Crackers

Almond flour crackers

Short ingredient list. No artificial colors whatsoever.

Shop on Amazon(affiliate)
Snacks
Snacks

Annie's Organic Cheddar Bunnies

Organic cheddar crackers

Certified organic. No synthetic dyes — uses paprika for color.

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Breakfast
Breakfast

Purely Elizabeth Granola

Ancient grain granola

Certified non-GMO. No artificial colors.

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Drinks
Drinks

Olipop Soda

Prebiotic soda with plant fiber

No synthetic dyes. Botanically flavored and colored.

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Common brands that contain Red Dye 40

⚠️ Doritos⚠️ Cheetos⚠️ Skittles⚠️ Starburst⚠️ Fruit by the Foot⚠️ Froot Loops⚠️ Lucky Charms

Learn more about Red Dye 40

See all countries where it's banned, the science behind the concerns, and which US products contain it.

Full Red Dye 40 breakdown →

Frequently asked questions

What foods contain Red Dye 40?+
Red Dye 40 is found in many processed US foods including snacks, cereals, beverages, and condiments.
Is Red Dye 40 banned in the US?+
Red Dye 40 is banned or restricted in Norway (historical, 1978–2001), Finland (historical) but is currently permitted in the US by the FDA.
How can I avoid Red Dye 40?+
Look for products labeled "certified organic," "no artificial colors," or certified by Non-GMO Project. The brands listed above are clean swaps. You can also use BannedPantry's barcode scanner to check any product instantly.
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