Are GMO corn, canola oil, Red 40, and MSG in Doritos considered harmful?

A video is going viral on social media in which a person can be heard saying that Doritos contains GMO corn, canola oil, vegetable oil and additives like Red 40 and Monosodium Glutamate which are poisonous and harmful when consumed. 

However, Fact Crescendo found the claim to be misleading. All the ingredients are declared safe by food regulatory bodies when they are consumed within the assigned limits. 

What’s the claim? 

In the video the man holding Doritos packet can be heard saying, “This is not meant for human consumption. Look at this. Corn, that is GMO that will kill you. Vegetable oil, canola oil, soyabean oil, sunflower oil. Poison, poison, poison. Oh, it gets worse than this. Look at all the dyes; red 40, that has been outlawed but you are gonna still enjoy it. Look at all these dyes and if it is not bad enough, there is Monosodium glutamate which is an excitotoxin for our kids brain. No human should digest this”

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Fact Check- 

According to the New York Post report in 2024, ​California has enacted a law banning certain artificial food dyes in public schools, effective December 31, 2027 which are found in snacks like Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, Doritos etc. This came up from the concern that these dyes may contribute to behavioral issues in children, including hyperactivity and attention problems. The goal is to encourage manufacturers to reformulate their products for school settings.

However, the ingredients are all approved from human consumption by the Food and Drug Administration. 

Lets check each ingredient mentioned in the video. 

GMO Corn: The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) reviewed a request from Bayer CropScience to allow the import and use of genetically modified (GM) corn MON 95275 in food and animal feed in the European Union. EFSA’s scientists examined how the corn was modified, the proteins it produces to protect against insects, and its overall safety. They found that the genetic changes are stable, the insect-resistant traits work as intended, and the proteins are not toxic or likely to cause allergies. Field tests showed that MON 95275 grows and performs like regular corn, with no significant differences in nutrition or composition. The experts also concluded that it would not harm the environment if accidentally released and that no extra monitoring is needed after approval. Overall, EFSA found that MON 95275 is as safe as traditional corn for people, animals, and the environment.

According to the FDA, most of the corn grown in the USA is GMO. GMO corn is created to resist insect pests or tolerate herbicides. Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) corn is a GMO corn that produces proteins that are toxic to certain insect pests but not to humans, pets, livestock, or other animals. These are the same types of proteins that organic farmers use to control insect pests, and they do not harm beneficial insects, such as ladybugs. GMO Bt corn reduces the need for spraying insecticides while still preventing insect damage. While a lot of GMO corn goes into processed foods and drinks, most of it is used to feed livestock, like cows, and poultry, like chickens.

Canola Oil: Canola oil is healthy because it is low in unhealthy saturated fats (only 4%) and high in good fats like oleic acid (55%) and other polyunsaturated fats. Unlike older rapeseed oils, canola oil has very low levels of erucic acid, which was once thought to be harmful. Because of its healthy fat profile, canola oil fits well with dietary guidelines aimed at reducing heart disease risk. It’s the most commonly used oil in Canada and is considered safe to eat by the U.S. FDA. 

According to the Canola Council Canada’s website, Canola oil is good for the heart and may help lower the risk of heart disease when used instead of fats high in saturated fat. The U.S. FDA allows the use of canola oil. There are both genetically modified (GM) and non-GM types of canola. No matter if the canola is genetically modified or not, the oil is exactly the same because all proteins are removed during processing. Canola oil is considered safe to eat, even for babies in infant formula.

Red 40: Red 40 is a synthetic dye which is used to add bright red color to foods and drinks. FDA has permitted the use of Red 40 in cereals, beverages, gelatins, puddings, dairy products and confections. 

After reviewing Red 40’s safety European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) had declared it safe to consume. Although there were studies which showed DNA damage in mice upon consumption of the additive, EFSA did not find any link between Red 40 and serious health issues in humans, even when this additive is consumed beyond human consumption limit. To ensure safety, EFSA has approved consumption of 0-7 mg per kilogram of body weight of Red 40. Based on current evidence, experts consider Red 40 safe to use as a food additive when consumed in normal amounts.

MSG: MSG consists of sodium and L-glutamate, which enhance the umami flavor without altering salt perception. According to regulatory authorities like the U.S. FDA, MSG is classified as “Generally Recognized as Safe” (GRAS). The FDA recommends keeping MSG intake below 0.5 grams per meal, as larger amounts (over 3 grams) may cause mild, transient symptoms in some individuals, such as headaches or flushing. However, most foods with added MSG contain less than 0.5 grams per serving, making overconsumption unlikely. Similarly, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the World Health Organization (WHO) affirm MSG’s safety within regulated limits. FDA recommendations can be referred here, and European Union guidance can be found here.

Conclusion: 

Fact Crescendo found that as many people still have concerns over the use of GMO corn, canola oil, and additives like Red 40 and MSG in Doritos, the food regulatory bodies declared these as safe when consumed within prescribed limit.