Nearly one in five packaged foods and beverages sold by the top 25 U.S. manufacturers contain synthetic dyes, and products in categories heavily marketed to children are far more likely to include them and have higher sugar, according to new peer‑reviewed research.
A study in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics examined ingredient data for 39,763 products from the 25 largest U.S. food manufacturers and found synthetic dyes in 19% of items. The analysis used 2020 product data sourced from Label Insight (a NielsenIQ company) and was conducted by researchers from The George Institute for Global Health, the University of North Carolina, and the Center for Science in the Public Interest. (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
Researchers compared five product categories frequently marketed to children—confectionery, sugar‑sweetened beverages, ready meals, breakfast cereals, and baked goods such as cakes, cookies, and pastries—against other categories. Twenty‑eight percent of products in those child‑targeted categories contained synthetic dyes, versus 11% in the remaining categories. On average, products with dyes had 141% more sugar than those without (33.3 g per 100 g vs. 13.8 g per 100 g). (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
“Given the accumulation of evidence over the last 40 years pointing to the health harms of synthetic dyes, it’s disappointing to see that they’re still so prevalent in our food system, particularly in products that are designed to appeal to children,” said lead author Dr. Elizabeth Dunford of The George Institute and UNC. She added that the high sugar levels in brightly colored items suggest dyes are being used to market sweet foods and drinks. (Quotes as provided in the institute’s media release.) (georgeinstitute.org)
By company and category, confectionery showed the highest prevalence: 60% of Ferrero products and 52% of Mars products contained synthetic dyes. More than half (51%) of PepsiCo energy drinks contained dyes, and 79% of all sports drinks did so, according to the study team. (Company‑level figures as reported by the George Institute release summarizing the peer‑reviewed analysis.) (georgeinstitute.org)
The study’s concerns align with prior assessments that link certain synthetic food dyes to behavioral effects in some children, including hyperactivity and inattention. California’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment concluded in 2021 that current federal intake levels for several dyes are not adequately protective for children. (sciencedaily.com)
Regulatory responses are evolving. In April 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced steps asking industry to phase out petroleum‑based synthetic dyes from the food supply and outlined plans to pursue additional actions. In the European Union, foods containing six specific synthetic colors have, since 2010, been required to carry the warning that they “may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children.” (fda.gov)
States have also moved to act. West Virginia enacted what analysts called the nation’s first broad statewide ban on several synthetic dyes (with phased effective dates), and policy trackers report that numerous states introduced bills in 2025 addressing food additives and dyes. (cen.acs.org)
Dr. Thomas Galligan of the Center for Science in the Public Interest said progress toward removing synthetic dyes has been slow and urged measures—such as EU‑style warning labels—to spur reformulation. “The FDA recently asked the food industry to voluntarily phase synthetic dyes out of the food supply,” he noted, adding that compliance will need to be monitored. (Quotes as provided in the George Institute media release.) (georgeinstitute.org)
For now, the authors recommend that parents and caregivers read labels closely and avoid children’s products listing synthetic dyes—especially when paired with high added sugar—until regulations and formulations improve. (georgeinstitute.org)
