Counted under: Synthetic dyes

Red 40

What counts on a label: “Red 40”, also printed as “Red No. 40”, “FD&C Red #40” or “Red 40 Lake”, or inside a list such as “Red 40 & …”. The chemical name “Allura Red” counts too.

Any one of these anywhere in the ingredient list fails the synthetic dyes check.

In this list

Foods that list it
77
Of all foods
897
Aisles
13

Rules that name it

  • FDA: Request to phase out six petroleum-based dyes

    Announced April 22, 2025: HHS and FDA asked industry to stop using Green 3, Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1 and Blue 2 voluntarily and to drop Red 3 early, and promised faster review of natural colors. FDA gives end of 2027 as the target; no regulation requires it.

    Source: FDA

  • California: AB 2316: six dyes out of public school food

    Public schools may not serve or sell food and drink containing Blue 1, Blue 2, Green 3, Red 40, Yellow 5 or Yellow 6.

    Effective date: December 31, 2027. Source: California Department of Education

  • West Virginia: HB 2354: seven dyes out of school meals

    Bars Red 3, Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1, Blue 2 and Green 3 from meals in school nutrition programs.

    Effective date: August 1, 2025. Source: West Virginia Legislature

  • West Virginia: HB 2354: statewide sales ban (blocked by court)

    Treats food with those dyes plus BHA and propylparaben as adulterated statewide from Jan 1, 2028. A federal judge paused this part on Dec 23, 2025, so it cannot be enforced while the injunction stands; the school ban is not affected.

    Effective date: January 1, 2028. Source: West Virginia Legislature

  • Texas: SB 25: warning label for 44 ingredients (enjoined)

    Requires a warning on packaged food that contains any of 44 listed ingredients, including most dyes, BHA, BHT, azodicarbonamide, potassium bromate and propylparaben, for labels developed or copyrighted on or after Jan 1, 2027. A federal court paused enforcement against the plaintiffs on Feb 11, 2026 and the state has appealed.

    Effective date: January 1, 2027. Source: Texas Legislature

  • Texas: SB 314: additives out of school meals

    Schools may not serve free or reduced-price meals containing a listed set of dyes and additives, for food contracts made or renewed on or after Sept 1, 2026.

    Effective date: September 1, 2026. Source: Texas Legislature

  • Alaska: SB 187: seven dyes out of school meals

    Bars Red 3, Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1, Blue 2 and Green 3 from school breakfast and lunch.

    Effective date: January 1, 2028. Source: National Agricultural Law Center

Cereal5 of 60

Chocolate candy2 of 46

Gummies and fruity candy27 of 50

Soda5 of 43

Sports and energy drinks8 of 55

Juice and kids' drinks3 of 39

Chips and salty snacks4 of 65

Cookies and snack cakes2 of 40

Snack bars and fruit snacks4 of 51

Yogurt, pudding and gelatin2 of 46

Condiments, dressings and sauces2 of 56

Toaster pastries, waffles and oatmeal7 of 40

Baking mixes, frosting and sprinkles6 of 33

Also counted under synthetic dyes

Red 3Yellow 5Yellow 6Blue 1Blue 2Green 3Citrus Red 2Orange BTitanium dioxideArtificial color (not named)