Red 40 is a common food dye added to many foods, including cereal, candy, and dairy products. But there is a media frenzy over its potential side effects. Why and what are people worried about?  

Many TikTok users have contributed to the media frenzy by letting the public know that scientific studies in the last few years have shown a link between the dye and increased hyperactivity in children with disabilities. California has also enacted a law to remove Red 40 from school lunches.  There is a lot of current discussion about it, but people have been concerned about this issue since the 1970s.

Red 40 is said to cause inflammation in the colon and change the gut biome.  Studies have linked the dye to colon cancer. Red 40 can also affect people with ADHD and other disorders, making them hyper and aggressive. Some people are allergic to it as well. Allergic reactions include hives, itching, and anaphylaxis.

Scientists have tested this on animals as well. When tested on rats, it significantly decreased weight, reproductive success, survival, and brain size. 

But the US isn’t the only country whose attention has been drawn by Red 40. Countries that have restricted Red 40 include the UK, Germany, Denmark, France, and Switzerland. No one is outright banning Red 40, but there are many restrictions, like warning labels and restrictions from schools.

The FDA’s approval of Red 40 in 1971 was based on animal studies and short-term human studies.  This year, the FDA announced it would phase out synthetic food dyes, including Red 40, by 2027. We hope negative human effects will go away once it’s phased out.