Before you reach for those M&M's, you might want to know that many brightly colored foods are made with dangerous, petroleum. Food dye can come from natural and artificial sources. Food dye from artificial sources has been linked to health concerns like cancer risk, as well as hyperactivity and neurobehavioral issues in children.
This research is ongoing. Foods that include dye are considered ultra. Food dyes are artificial chemicals added to foods in order to change their color.
This article looks at the research behind their effects on your health. Are synthetic food dyes bad for you? Here's what the science says. Some research has shown a link to certain neurobehavioral issues in children.
Facts on the safety of color additives - dyes, or substances that can impart color when added or applied to a food, drug, cosmetic, or the human body. Synthetic food dyes can cause behavioral issues in some kids. Learn the health risks of food dyes.
Are artificial food dyes harmful? Discover the health risks, effects on kids and tips for reducing exposure, explained by a registered dietitian. Food dyes, however, are typically found in ultraprocessed foods, including candy, soft drinks, baking mixes and sweetened breakfast cereals, which can be harmful to health, Tallie points out. Artificial food dyes are in thousands of foods and beverages and generally recognized as safe by the FDA, but that status has come under fire as advocacy groups seek to outlaw the use of synthetic.
Official answer: In the United States, food colorings, or color additives, are considered generally safe and not bad for you if they are.