Is It Time to Rethink Food Coloring?

The FDA says they’re safe in moderation. But some experts say their guidelines are outdated and need changes to account for the possibility that dyes affect children's brains and behavior.

By Brianna Barbu
Aug 18, 2021 3:00 PM
colorful macaroons
(Credit: Pla2na)

Newsletter

Sign up for our email newsletter for the latest science news
 

I held the bag of peanut M&Ms out to my sister: “Come on, I got these to share!” They’d been free from the concessions stand at the outdoor venue where we were attending a symphony concert, courtesy of her husband’s workplace. “I don’t want to eat this whole bag by myself.”

“They have so much artificial dyes and stuff in them—I’m trying to avoid all of that,” she said.

The way she phrased her polite refusal got me thinking. Of course, M&Ms are unhealthy junk food. That’s why I wanted to share the bag rather than eat them all. But why single out food coloring as a special cause for concern above and beyond the general crappiness of highly processed food? As a science writer, I decided to find out. This is what I learned:

Food Coloring Is Kind of Everywhere

0 free articles left
Want More? Get unlimited access for as low as $1.99/month

Already a subscriber?

Register or Log In

0 free articlesSubscribe
Discover Magazine Logo
Want more?

Keep reading for as low as $1.99!

Subscribe

Already a subscriber?

Register or Log In

Stay Curious

Sign up for our weekly newsletter and unlock one more article for free.

 

View our Privacy Policy


Want more?
Keep reading for as low as $1.99!


Log In or Register

Already a subscriber?
Find my Subscription

More From Discover
Recommendations From Our Store
Shop Now
Stay Curious
Join
Our List

Sign up for our weekly science updates.

 
Subscribe
To The Magazine

Save up to 40% off the cover price when you subscribe to Discover magazine.

Copyright © 2023 Kalmbach Media Co.