Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1 in Swedish Fish, Candy Corn, Apple Jacks and Tropicana Twister meet safety standards. 

In recent years, growing awareness about food additives has led many consumers to scrutinize the ingredients in their foods. Few of the food additives which have become the center of discussions are artificial colors like Red 40, Yellow 5, Blue 1 etc. These additives are majorly used to enhance the visuals of the products. But consumers are worried about the health issues upon consuming products with these additives as ingredients. 

A recent post on social media claimed that artificial food dyes like Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1, Blue 2, and Green 3 in Swedish Fish, Candy Corn, Apple Jacks and Tropicana Twister are derived from petroleum and have adverse effects on health.

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Fact Check- 

Lets check the facts about all the ingredients mentioned in the post. 

Red 40: Red 40 is a synthetic dye that’s used in a variety of foods. The full name of this dye is FD and C red no. 40. It’s considered a color additive. Red no. 40 consists of a chemical compound called Allura red AC. 

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) reviewed the safety of Allura Red AC (E 129), a food colouring allowed in the EU, and confirmed it is safe within the established acceptable daily intake (ADI) of 0-7 mg/kg body weight. While a recent study suggested it might cause DNA damage in mice at high doses, long-term studies showed no evidence of cancer, even at doses far exceeding typical human consumption. Other genetic tests and studies on its breakdown products also indicated no significant harm. EFSA concluded that the observed DNA effects are unlikely to lead to cancer, reaffirming Allura Red AC’s safety when used as a food additive.

FDA has permitted the use of Red 40 in cereals, beverages, gelatins, puddings, dairy products and confections.

Yellow 6: Yellow 6, also known as Sunset Yellow, is an orange-yellow dye that is used in candy, sauces, baked goods and preserved fruits. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has set a new Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) of 4 mg per kg of body weight per day for the food colouring Sunset Yellow. Previously, in 2009, EFSA had set a temporary ADI of 1 mg/kg due to limited data and recommended further studies. With new scientific data now available, EFSA has increased the ADI, confirming Sunset Yellow’s safety at the new updated level.

Yellow 5: The EFSA reviewed the safety of Yellow 5, also known as Tartrazine is a yellow food dye used in many products. Older studies showed that only a tiny amount of Tartrazine is absorbed by the body, while most of it is broken down by gut bacteria and leaves the body in urine. An acceptable daily intake (ADI) of 7.5 mg per kg of body weight was set many years ago, but the studies used were not detailed enough or focused on mixtures of dyes instead of just Tartrazine. Because of this, EFSA advised for more research to fully understand if Tartrazine is safe and if the ADI needs to be updated.

Blue 1: The EFSA reviewed the safety of Blue 1, also known as Brilliant Blue FCF (E 133). It was previously approved with an acceptable daily intake (ADI) of 10 mg/kg body weight per day, set in 1984. After reviewing new data on how the dye is absorbed, processed, and its effects on health, the EFSA decided to lower the ADI to 6 mg/kg body weight per day. This decision was based on updated studies showing the dye is safe at this level. The EFSA also found that most people’s intake is below this new ADI

Green 3: According to the FDA, color additives are safe when they are used in accordance with FDA regulations. The organization has also provided a list of approved color additives in which Green 3 is also included. This particular color is used in cereal, ice cream, sherbet, drink mixers, and baked goods. 

Conclusion: 

Fact Crescendo found the claim to be false. Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1 and Green 3 have been approved by food regulatory bodies and are declared safe when manufactured and used as per safety measures. Brands like Swedish Fish, Candy Corn, Apple Jacks and Tropicana Twister containing these additives are safe to consume.