Artificial Flavors And Artificial Colors

Artificial flavors are chemical mixtures designed to mimic the taste of natural ingredients. Artificial colors are synthetic dyes added to food to impart color. Both are created in laboratories rather than being extracted directly from natural sources.

Manufacturers add artificial flavors to provide or enhance specific tastes in products like candy, baked goods, and beverages. Artificial colors are used to make foods more visually appealing, replace color lost during processing, or help identify flavors in items such as snacks, desserts, and drinks.

In the US, artificial flavors are approved by the FDA as food additives. Artificial colors are approved by the FDA as color additives, though some have specific regulatory updates. The FDA revoked Red 3 for use in food in January 2025, with manufacturers having until January 2027 to comply. In April 2025, the FDA announced a plan to phase out several petroleum-based synthetic dyes, including Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1, Blue 2, Green 3, Citrus Red 2, and Orange B. While generally considered safe at typical intake levels, some studies have suggested a link between certain artificial colors and hyperactivity in some children; however, the evidence is mixed, and the FDA states that for most children, a causal link has not been established. JECFA and EFSA have evaluated many individual artificial flavors and colors.