Six Ways to Avoid Artificial Colors in Food Targeted at Your Kids

January 18, 2023

Supermarket aisles and television commercials are full of brightly colored foods. These vibrant hues catch kids’ eyes. But are they healthy?

Manufacturers often add artificial colors to foods with little nutritional value ­– cookies, sugary cereals, gummy snacks – to make them more appealing to kids. EWG’s Food Scores database shows artificial color as an additive in more than 12,500 products.

Of primary concern is the safety of a class of colors called FD&C (Food, Drug & Cosmetics). Some studies have linked consuming these colors to behavioral problems in children, including hyperactivity.

While the debate continues, the European Union and some other governments have tightened regulations around the use of these colors in food. Some U.S. food manufacturers, such as Nestlé, Subway and Campbell’s Soup, have begun to follow suit.

How can parents avoid artificial colors in their children’s foods? Here are six steps to get started.

1. Choose organic. The U.S. Department of Agriculture does not permit the use of artificial colors in foods it certifies as organic. If your organic yogurt is blue, it contains something naturally blue, like blueberries.

2. Limit packaged foods, especially those marketed to kids. If a food product looks suspiciously bright or colorful, leave it on the shelf.

3. Read labels carefully. Artificial colors can pop up in unexpected places, including items that are not brightly colored, such as dried fruit snacks. Avoid products that list FD&C dyes or the words “artificial color” on the label.

4. Tell your kids. Talk to your children, especially older ones, about making healthy food choices. If they watch television and see food ads, discuss these commercials and what appeals to them about a particular food.

5. Use natural food colorings. Baked goods like frosted cakes and cupcakes are a common source of artificial food colors. When baking, buy and use natural food dyes for color. When eating foods that others have prepared, try to avoid synthetic colors (but take comfort knowing that an occasional indulgence won’t do any lasting harm.)

6. Speak up. Join parents and consumer advocacy groups in petitioning food manufacturers to remove artificial colors from foods marketed directly to children. And don’t buy food products with these ingredients. Your purchasing power matters.

To learn more, visit EWG’s Dirty Dozen Guide to Food Additives.