If Colored

Artificial colors are substances added to food to make it more appealing or to give it a consistent color. Unlike colors from natural sources, these are typically synthetic chemicals, often made from petroleum. They are produced through chemical processes in factories.

Food manufacturers use artificial colors to enhance the visual appeal of products, to standardize their look, or to restore color lost during processing. They are commonly found in a wide variety of processed foods, such as cheese, soft drinks, candies, baked goods, and snack foods.

In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) must approve all color additives before they can be used in food. Many individual artificial colors have been evaluated by international bodies like JECFA and EFSA. A notable area of discussion involves a possible link between artificial food colors and hyperactivity in some children; scientific evidence on this topic is mixed. The FDA has revoked the use of Red 3 for 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.