Seed oils aren't the only problem in processed food. Artificial dyes — petroleum-derived colorants like Red 40, Yellow 5, and Blue 1 — are in thousands of products, and the FDA is phasing them out.
Artificial food dyes are synthetic colorants derived from petroleum (crude oil). They serve no nutritional purpose — they exist solely to make food look more appealing. The FDA currently approves seven synthetic dyes for food use, plus Titanium Dioxide as a whitening agent.
Like seed oils, artificial dyes only became widespread in the mid-20th century. Before that, food was colored with beet juice, turmeric, saffron, and other natural ingredients — the same alternatives companies are now switching back to.
The FDA has announced a voluntary phase-out of synthetic food dyes by December 31, 2027. This follows decades of research linking artificial dyes to hyperactivity in children, allergic reactions, and potential carcinogenic effects.
For a detailed breakdown of the timeline and what's changing, see DyeFreeCheck's FDA Food Dye Ban guide.
The most well-documented concern about artificial dyes is their effect on children's behavior. The 2007 Southampton Study found that mixtures of food dyes increased hyperactivity in the general population of children — not just those with ADHD. A 2012 meta-analysis confirmed a statistically significant effect.
Many parents report behavioral improvements after removing artificial dyes from their children's diets. For the full research breakdown, see ADHD and Food Dyes: The Science Behind the Link.
The easiest way to check if a product contains artificial dyes is to use DyeFreeCheck — scan any barcode or search by product name to get an instant verdict. The site checks for all 8 target dyes and shows you dye-free alternatives.
On ingredient labels, look for names like "Red 40," "Yellow 5," "Blue 1," or their FD&C designations. "Lake" dyes (e.g., "Red 40 Lake") are the same synthetic dyes in water-insoluble form. For a complete identification guide, see How to Read Food Labels for Dyes.
Companies are replacing synthetic dyes with natural alternatives: beet juice for red, turmeric for yellow, spirulina for blue, and chlorophyll for green. For the full comparison, see Natural vs Artificial Food Coloring.
If you're already avoiding seed oils, you're ahead of the curve. But many of the same processed foods that contain canola and soybean oil also contain artificial dyes. A bag of Doritos has both corn oil AND Red 40. A bottle of Gatorade has both seed oil-derived ingredients AND Red 40 or Yellow 5.
The solution is the same: read labels, choose brands that use clean ingredients, or make it at home. Every recipe on Origin is seed oil free, and if you're cooking from scratch, you're automatically avoiding artificial dyes too.