Red #40 &/or Titanium Dioxide

Red #40 is a synthetic color additive made from petroleum. Titanium dioxide is a naturally occurring mineral pigment, an oxide of titanium, which is mined and then processed for use in food.

Red #40 is used to impart a red or orange color to foods, commonly found in candies, beverages, and baked goods. Titanium dioxide is used as a whitening agent and to provide opacity in products like icings, chewing gum, and some dairy items.

Red #40 is an FDA-approved color additive. Some studies have suggested a link between synthetic food colors, including Red #40, and hyperactivity in some children, though evidence is mixed and not conclusive. JECFA has evaluated Red #40 and set an acceptable daily intake. In April 2025, the FDA announced a plan to phase out petroleum-based synthetic dyes, including Red #40. Titanium dioxide is an FDA-permitted food additive. While JECFA has evaluated it and set an acceptable daily intake, EFSA concluded in 2021 that it could no longer be considered safe as a food additive, leading to its ban in the EU in 2022. The FDA continues to permit its use, and it is not part of the announced synthetic dye phase-out.