Kids' Health The Link Between Red Dye 40 and ADHD By Carrie Madormo, RN, MPH Published on May 06, 2022 Medically reviewed by Lyndsey Garbi, MD Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents What Is It? ADHD and Food Coloring Foods With It Alternatives Nutrition Labels ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) is a chronic condition that usually begins in childhood. ADHD can cause hyperactivity and impulsivity. Common symptoms include trouble paying attention, trouble controlling impulsive behaviors, fidgeting, and talking excessively. While all kids have behavioral issues from time to time, children with ADHD experience severe behavioral problems more frequently than others. It’s estimated that about 9.4% of children in the United States ages 2 to 17 have been diagnosed with ADHD. Red dye 40 is a food additive that adds color to food and cosmetics. Some food colorings, including red dye 40, have been found to exacerbate ADHD symptoms in some children. This article will explain the link between red dye 40 and ADHD, as well as foods to avoid. Maskot What Is Red Dye 40? Red dye 40 is a color additive that changes a substance’s appearance. It is used in food and cosmetics and is made from petroleum. Red dye 40 is one of the most commonly used food dyes in the United States. It is estimated that up to 60% of calories consumed in the United States are from ultra-processed foods. Many processed foods contain food dyes like red dye 40. ADHD and Artificial Food Coloring Researchers continue to study the link between ADHD and artificial food coloring. It is approved for use in foods by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. Most children have no adverse effects from color additives in their food. However, certain children may be more sensitive to these additives than others. Consuming foods with red dye 40 may worsen symptoms in some children with ADHD. For these children, eliminating red dye 40 from their diets may reduce ADHD symptoms. In one study, researchers measured symptom improvement based on parental reports. Although parents’ perceptions are subjective, there seems to be strong evidence that removing red dye 40 reduced ADHD symptoms. It’s important to note that artificial food colors do not cause ADHD. One study found that removing artificial food colors from the diet had a statistically significant effect on ADHD symptoms, however. The authors noted that the improvements were modest but still statistically significant. Another study found that artificial food colors likely increase hyperactivity symptoms in some children with ADHD. It is possible that up to 33% of children with ADHD may benefit from a restricted diet that eliminates color additives in food. The study also found that food colors exacerbate (worsen) symptoms of asthma, eczema, and migraines. In addition to red dye 40, sugar and sweetened foods and beverages have been found to negatively affect ADHD symptoms in children. Foods With Red Dye 40 Red dye 40 is present in several types of processed foods, especially foods that appear red or pink, including: Breakfast cerealGranola barsJell-OFruit snacksCandyCakesChipsFlavored dairy productsSodaSports drinks Energy drinks Safe and Natural Alternatives to Red Dye 40 To avoid red dye 40, it’s best to make foods from scratch instead of opting for the processed versions. This is not always convenient or even possible for many families, but choosing natural alternatives where you can is worth it. Consider the following: Offer your child water or 100% fruit juice instead of soda or sports drinks.Choose cereals, such as Cheerios, without color additives. Bake desserts from scratch instead of using prepared cake mixes. Recognizing Red Dye 40 on Nutrition Labels The FDA requires that all foods that contain red dye 40 must list it as an ingredient on the label. Red dye 40 may appear as one of the following names: Red dye 40Red 40Red 40 LakeFD&C Red No. 40FD&C Red No. 40 Aluminum LakeArtificial colorsArtificial color addedColor added Summary ADHD is a chronic condition that causes hyperactivity and impulsivity in children and adults. Red dye 40 is a food additive that adds color to food and cosmetics. Research has found that removing red dye 40 may improve symptoms in some children with ADHD. Children with ADHD may benefit from a restricted diet that eliminates color additives from their food. A Word From Verywell Managing your child’s ADHD symptoms can be overwhelming for any parent. It is especially difficult to determine which natural remedies are worth trying. Research shows that some children are significantly affected by red dye 40 in their diets. Consider asking your primary care provider or your child's pediatrician about trying a restricted diet to see if your child’s symptoms improve. Frequently Asked Questions How does red dye 40 affect behavior? Research shows that red dye 40 has been linked to increased ADHD symptoms in certain children. The increased symptoms include hyperactivity and impulsiveness. Does red dye 40 affect adults with ADHD as well? It is possible that red dye 40 affects adults with ADHD but more research is needed. The current studies have examined the effect of red dye 40 on children and used parental reports as their measurement. Which foods have the most red dye 40? The more colorful the food, the more dye it usually contains. To know if a food has a large amount of red dye 40, check the nutrition label. The FDA requires that the item’s ingredients be listed by weight. If red dye 40 is one of the first ingredients on the list, you can assume that the food contains a significant amount. 12 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Symptoms and diagnosis of ADHD. American Academy of Pediatrics. ADHD. American Academy of Pediatrics. Understanding ADHD. Food and Drug Administration. Color additives history. Baraldi LG, Martinez Steele E, Canella DS, Monteiro CA. Consumption of ultra-processed foods and associated sociodemographic factors in the USA between 2007 and 2012: evidence from a nationally representative cross-sectional study. BMJ Open. 2018 Mar 9;8(3):e020574. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2017-020574 Food and Drug Administration. Color additives questions and answers for consumers. Nigg JT, Lewis K, Edinger T, Falk M. Meta-analysis of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms, restriction diet, and synthetic food color additives. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2012 Jan;51(1):86-97.e8. doi:10.1016/j.jaac.2011.10.015 Arnold LE, Lofthouse N, Hurt E. Artificial food colors and attention-deficit/hyperactivity symptoms: conclusions to dye for. Neurotherapeutics. 2012 Jul;9(3):599-609. doi:10.1007/s13311-012-0133-x Sonuga-Barke EJ, Brandeis D, Cortese S, et al. Nonpharmacological interventions for ADHD: systematic review and meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials of dietary and psychological treatments. Am J Psychiatry. 2013 Mar;170(3):275-89. doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.2012.12070991 Stevens LJ, Kuczek T, Burgess JR, Stochelski MA, Arnold LE, Galland L. Mechanisms of behavioral, atopic, and other reactions to artificial food colors in children. Nutr Rev. 2013 May;71(5):268-81. doi:10.1111/nure.12023 Farsad-Naeimi A, Asjodi F, Omidian M, Askari M, Nouri M, Pizarro AB, Daneshzad E. Sugar consumption, sugar sweetened beverages and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Complement Ther Med. 2020 Sep;53:102512. doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2020.102512 ADDitude Magazine. Red dye 40, food additives and ADHD: Feed your child's focus. Additional Reading Trasande L, Shaffer RM, Sathyanarayana S; COUNCIL ON ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH. Food additives and child health. Pediatrics. 2018 Aug;142(2):e20181408. doi:10.1542/peds.2018-1408 By Carrie Madormo, RN, MPH Carrie Madormo, RN, MPH, is a health writer with over a decade of experience working as a registered nurse. She has practiced in a variety of settings including pediatrics, oncology, chronic pain, and public health. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? 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