The dye in soda varies by color, with dark sodas like cola using Caramel Coloring (often with 4-methylimidazole or 4-MEI) and some brightly colored sodas using synthetic dyes such as Red 40 (Allura Red AC), Yellow 5 (Tartrazine), and Blue 1 (Brilliant Blue FCF), all listed in the ingredients for identification, notes Healthline and Wikipedia.
Here are some examples of drinks that kids drink on regular basis that contain red dye #40: Coca Cola, Dr. Pepper, Seven Up, Gatorade, Hawaiian Punch, and Pepsi.
Tartrazine is a permitted food colour in both Australia and New Zealand.
Blue 1 Dye is typically made from petroleum and other chemical substances.
Cola Gets Its Color From Caramel Coloring
The brown, golden syrup color of cola comes from caramel coloring. Because the coloring is an artificial additive, it is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for health and safety reasons.
There's no single "number one" unhealthiest soda, as different ones rank poorly for different reasons (sugar, acidity, dyes), but Mountain Dew, Fanta Grape, and orange sodas often top lists due to high sugar, potent citric acid for enamel erosion, and potentially carcinogenic artificial dyes (like Red 40), making them particularly damaging for teeth and overall health, notes this article from Eat This, Not That! and this article from Fowler Orthodontics. Dark sodas (like Coke/Pepsi) are also very unhealthy due to sugar, caffeine, and caramel coloring, while clear sodas (Sprite/7Up) are generally less harmful but still packed with sugar, says this article from MEL Magazine.
Blue 1 was not found to be toxic in key rat and mouse studies, but an unpublished study suggested the possibility that Blue 1 caused kidney tumors in mice, and a preliminary in vitro study raised questions about possible effects on nerve cells. Blue 1 may not cause cancer, but confirmatory studies should be conducted.
The secret behind many of these products is carmine dye—a colored extract that comes from the dried and crushed shells of female cochineal insects.
These days artificial food dyes are behind the bright colours in many of our lollies, fizzy drinks and baked goods. “Brilliant Blue” (E133) for example is the greeny-blue colour used in ice-cream or canned peas.
It is found in confectionery, cotton candy, soft drinks, instant puddings, flavored chips (Doritos, Nachos), cereals (corn flakes, muesli), cake mixes, pastries, custard powder, soups (particularly instant or "cube" soups), sauces, some rices (paella, risotto, etc.), Kool-Aid, Mountain Dew, Gatorade, ice cream, ice ...
Here's a more detailed, evidence-informed breakdown:
rolling out new buns this month that no longer contain high fructose corn syrup, including the buns used on Big Macs, Quarter Pounders, hamburgers and cheeseburgers, Filet-O-Fish and McChicken sandwiches. The Artisan roll introduced in 2015 never contained high fructose corn syrup.
The Mexican formula that is exported into the U.S. is sweetened with white sugar instead of the high-fructose corn syrup used in the American formula since the early 1980s. Some tasters have said that Mexican Coca-Cola tastes better, while other blind tasting tests reported no differences in flavor.
Kraft Heinz stripped artificial colors, flavors and preservatives from its macaroni and cheese in 2016 and said it has never used artificial dyes in its ketchup.
Zero-sugar soda and diet soda both contain artificial sweeteners and additives to mimic the taste of the real thing. While diet soda is designed to have a lighter flavor, the health impacts of both are relatively similar. Research suggests that these zero-sugar sodas may actually negatively affect your health.
It's an insect called a “cochineal” and is often used in food as a red dye. You might find it in the ingredients of candy - like Nerds Gummy Clusters - food, and even cosmetics under the name “carmine color”. #animals #science.
Cochineal, which refers to both the insect, and the red dye which comes from the female bug, is ubiquitous. In addition to clothing, cochineal red dye is still used in many foods and drinks, including candies, ketchup and soft drinks.
Red 3 causes cancer in animals, and there is evidence that several other dyes also are carcinogenic. Three dyes (Red 40, Yellow 5, and Yellow 6) have been found to be contaminated with benzidine or other carcinogens.
Many marshmallows contain blue dye to make them appear whiter.
In Australia, strict regulations by Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) mean erythrosine is only legally allowed in specific cherry products, but non-compliant or imported goods may still contain it. Checking labels for "Erythrosine" or "127" is a must.
The European Union (EU) also regulates the use of Red 40, which is referred to as E129 or Allura Red AC.
8 Best Non-Toxic Food Coloring Powders and Gels in 2025
Doritos owner PepsiCo just announced it's removing synthetic petroleum-based dyes (namely Red 40, Yellow 5 and Yellow 6) from their nacho cheese flavor used in their Doritos recipe.