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The FDA is phasing out petroleum-based artificial food dyes by end of 2026, part of the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) initiative. Red 3 was already banned in January 2025. Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1, Blue 2, and Green 3 are next. CheckIt AI scanned 12,556 products and found thousands still containing these dyes.
The following petroleum-based artificial dyes are being phased out under FDA's 2026 timeline:
| Dye | Also Known As | Found In | Health Concern |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red 40 | Allura Red, E129 | Candy, cereal, sports drinks | Hyperactivity, ADHD risk in children |
| Yellow 5 | Tartrazine, E102 | Mac & cheese, chips, candy | Hyperactivity, allergic reactions |
| Yellow 6 | Sunset Yellow, E110 | Cereal, baked goods, sauces | Hyperactivity, tumors in animal studies |
| Blue 1 | Brilliant Blue, E133 | Candy, beverages, ice cream | Allergic reactions, chromosomal damage |
| Red 3 | Erythrosine, E127 | Candy, popsicles, cake | Banned Jan 2025 — thyroid tumors |
The Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) initiative, championed by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has accelerated food safety reform in the US. Key developments:
CheckIt AI analyzed 12,556 products with flagged additives. These are the lowest-scoring products we found that still contain artificial dyes or harmful additives:
| Product | Brand | Score | Flagged Additives |
|---|---|---|---|
| sinus pe allergy | Cvs Pharmacy | 0/100 | artificial colors preservatives |
| CANDY STORE, RED TWISTS | Holiday Candy Corp, Inc. | 0/100 | e129 e133 e202 e422 e471 |
| CORNER STORE, GUMMY WORMS | Hot Stop Foods | 0/100 | e102 e110 e129 e133 e330 e420 e428 e903 |
| FROSTED STRAWBERRY TOASTER PASTRIES, FROSTED STRAWBERRY | The Kellogg Company | 0/100 | e110 e129 e133 e150c e322 e322i e330 e341 e341i e415 e428 e450 e450i e500 e500ii |
| JELLY BEANS, STINK BUG, TOASTED MARSHMALLOW, DIRTY DISHWATER, BIRTHDAY CAKE, ROTTEN EGG, BUTTERED POPCORN, TOOTHPASTE, BERRY BLUE, BARF, PEACH, CANNED DOG FOOD, CHOCOLATE PUDDING, BOOGER, JUICY PEAR, SPOILED MILK, COCONUT, STINKY SOCKS, TUTTI-FRUITTI, DEAD FISH, STRAWBERRY BANANA SMOOTHIE | Jelly Belly Candy Company | 0/100 | e129 e133 e1400 e262 e262ii e330 e331 e901 e903 |
| JELLY BEANS, STINK BUG, TOASTED MARSHMALLOW, DIRTY DISHWATER, BIRTHDAY CAKE, ROTTEN EGG, BUTTERED POPCORN, TOOTHPASTE, BERRY BLUE, BARF, PEACH, CANNED DOG FOOD, CHOCOLATE PUDDING, BOOGER, JUICY PEAR, SPOILED MILK, COCONUT, STINKY SOCKS, TUTTI-FRUITTI, DEAD FISH, STRAWBERRY BANANA SMOOTHIE | Jelly Belly Candy Company | 0/100 | e129 e133 e1400 e262 e262ii e330 e331 e901 e903 |
| JELLY BEANS, STINK BUG, TOASTED MARSHMALLOW, DIRTY DISHWATER, BIRTHDAY CAKE, ROTTEN EGG, BUTTERED POPCORN, TOOTHPASTE, BERRY BLUE, BARF, PEACH, CANNED DOG FOOD, CHOCOLATE PUDDING, BOOGER, JUICY PEAR, SPOILED MILK, COCONUT, STINKY SOCKS, TUTTI-FRUITTI, DEAD FISH, STRAWBERRY BANANA SMOOTHIE | Jelly Belly Candy Company | 0/100 | e129 e133 e1400 e262 e262ii e330 e331 e901 e903 |
| MARUCHAN, INSTANT LUNCH, RAMAN NOODLES WITH VEGETABLES, CHICKEN VEGETABLE | Maruchan, Inc. | 0/100 | e319 e322 e322i e621 e631 |
| MEAT TRIO PIZZA ITALIAN SAUSAGE, BEEF PATTY CRUMBLE & PREMIUM DELI STYLE PEPPERONI, MEDIUM | Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. | 0/100 | e150c e160c e235 e250 e320 e321 e330 e414 e415 |
| CHICKEN FLAVOR BOUILLON CUBES, CHICKEN | Unilever Bestfoods North America | 0/100 | e102 e110 e150c e160b e319 e330 e621 e631 potassium iodide |
| APPLE CINNAMON SOFT BAKED BREAKFAST BARS, APPLE CINNAMON | The Kellogg Company | 0/100 | e322 e322i e330 e341 e341ii e401 e407 e412 e422 e460 e461 e471 |
| Pringles Crisps Cheddar Cheese 5.5oz | Kellogg Company US | 0/100 | e100 e160c e270 e330 e471 e621 e627 e631 |
| PRINGLES CRISPS CHEESEBURGER 5.96OZ | Kellogg Company US | 0/100 | e110 e129 e260 e262 e262i e270 e330 e471 e621 e627 e631 |
| Pringles Crisps Jalapeno 5.5oz | Kellogg Company US | 0/100 | e160c e262 e262ii e270 e330 e471 e621 e627 e631 |
| Pringles Wavy Crisps Fire Roasted Jalapeno 4.8oz | Kellogg Company US | 0/100 | e262 e262ii e270 e330 e410 e471 e621 e627 e631 |
| Artificial Dye | Natural Alternative | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Red 40 | Beet juice, carmine, lycopene | Beets, cochineal, tomatoes |
| Yellow 5 | Turmeric, annatto, saffron | Turmeric root, achiote seeds |
| Blue 1 | Spirulina, butterfly pea flower | Blue-green algae, flowers |
| Green 3 | Chlorophyll, matcha | Green plants, green tea |
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Research shows artificial food dyes are especially harmful to children:
Parents concerned about dyes can use our safest kids' snacks guide and the #SchoolLunchCheck challenge to identify dye-free options.
The FDA is phasing out all petroleum-based artificial dyes: Red 40 (Allura Red), Yellow 5 (Tartrazine), Yellow 6 (Sunset Yellow), Blue 1 (Brilliant Blue), Blue 2 (Indigotine), Green 3 (Fast Green), and Red 3 (already banned January 2025).
Under the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) initiative, the FDA is acting on decades of research linking petroleum-based dyes to hyperactivity in children, ADHD, allergic reactions, and cancer risk in animal studies. The EU already requires warning labels on these dyes.
Download CheckIt AI (free) and scan any product's barcode or ingredient list. The app instantly flags all artificial dyes and suggests dye-free alternatives. You can also use our free Ingredient Banned Checker online.
Over 35% of major US food companies have committed to removing artificial dyes, including Walmart (Great Value brand), Hershey, Nestlé, Mars, Kellogg's, and General Mills. Many are switching to natural alternatives like beet juice, turmeric, and spirulina.
Stop guessing. Scan before you buy.
1,598 products scanned today · Point your camera at any label
Download Free →Free forever · No credit card · Works on iPhone & Android
CheckIt AI. (2026). "Food Dye Ban 2026: Which Products Still Contain Banned Dyes? | CheckIt AI". Climaverse PBC. Retrieved from https://getcheck.it/food-dye-ban-2026"Food Dye Ban 2026: Which Products Still Contain Banned Dyes? | CheckIt AI." CheckIt AI, Climaverse PBC, 2026-04-18. https://getcheck.it/food-dye-ban-2026.<a href="https://getcheck.it/food-dye-ban-2026">Food Dye Ban 2026: Which Products Still Contain Banned Dyes? | CheckIt AI — CheckIt AI</a>@misc{checkit2026fooddyeban2026,
title = {Food Dye Ban 2026: Which Products Still Contain Banned Dyes? | CheckIt AI},
author = {CheckIt AI},
year = {2026},
publisher = {Climaverse PBC},
url = {https://getcheck.it/food-dye-ban-2026},
note = {Retrieved 2026-04-18}
}