Most foods that contain artificial food colors are highly processed, have few, if any, natural nutrients, and are high in calories and added sugars. Food colorings are likely to be harmful to our health, which is supported by their related carcinogenic, immune-disrupting and hypersensitivity effects. However, some studies have linked artificial food colors, such as red dye 40, to hyperactivity, including ADHD. Sure, artificial food colors make food look brighter and more appealing, but at what price? The consumer watchdog, CSPI, says that food colorings can cause everything from hyperactivity and allergic reactions to cancer, and asks the government to ban three of the most common colorants.
This is our take on rainbow color additives. Food colorings are also known to cause allergies. Although rare, red 40, yellow 5 and yellow 6, the three most common synthetic colors, are the most likely to cause a reaction.