May 2026
Artificial colorings are synthetic chemicals manufactured from petroleum-derived compounds. They’re used to give foods, drinks, and some medicines bright, consistent colors that don’t fade due to light, heat, or time. Red 40, followed by Yellow 5 and Blue 1 are the most commonly used artificial colorings.
Some people try to avoid artificial dyes due to concerns about allergic reactions, hyperactivity, other behavioral issues, and potential longer-term health problems. If you’re trying to reduce artificial coloring in your diet or medications, the best first step is learning where and how to look for them.
How to avoid artificial coloring in food
Start by reading the label. Artificial dyes may appear in several forms, including the name of the color (like Red 40), FD&C Red No. 40 (for water-soluble dyes), or Red 40 Lake
(for colorings that aren’t water soluble).
The FDA allows food manufacturers to just say “artificial coloring” or “artificial colors added” instead. The only exception is Yellow 5, which must be explicitly named if it is present.
How to avoid coloring in medication
The FDA requires all OTC and prescription medications to list by name any artificial colors they contain. On OTC medicine labels, check under the heading “Inactive Ingredients.” For prescriptions, ask your pharmacist to confirm whether a medication contains dyes before it’s filled.
If you need an OTC product and don’t see a dye-free option, ask your pharmacist. Many brands now offer dye-free medications. If you have a confirmed dye allergy and can’t find an appropriate dye-free product, ask your local pharmacy if they do compounding.
