Skittles are one of the most popular candies in America and are consumed by millions and millions of people. Many love them for their variety of fruity flavors and colorful round shapes, but they are often not aware of what’s in the Skittles or other types of similar candies.
Red dye 40, also known as Allura Red AC, is a chemical compound used as a food dye found in common beverages and foods such as Skittles, Doritos, Gatorade, Jello and many others. There are possible hazards and risks when consuming red dye 40, such as migraines, allergic reactions, unusual behavior (twitching of the body), as well as a potential link to ADHD (Healthline). These symptoms mainly occur when taking too much of the dye- consuming over 3.2mg per pound. Though there are some possible negative sides and risks of red dye 40, it is still found safe to consume only when consumed in appropriate amounts
Red dye 40 is approved by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration), which allows the red dye to be used in candy and various other types of foods. The FDA goes through different types of tests with chemical compounds, such as food dyes, to study the effects they can have on people and determine approval. Red dye 40 goes through these tests to make sure it is safe for human consumption before getting put in foods that many enjoy. Though it being approved by the FDA does mean it is generally safe to eat, people may still be cautious of the dye because various studies show that there are still some possible health risks when taking too much of the red dye (Cleveland Clinic).
Although red dye 40 is safe to consume, some places, such as Australia, the United Kingdom, Norway, Saudi Arabia, and the European Union, have started to ban the chemical compound (Statcare). The ban prevents many of the possible health risks red dye 40 can have against adults and especially children, due to the hyper effect it may cause
Another variant of red dye, Red dye no. 3, has been banned by California in a bill that was recently signed by Governor Newsom (NBC News). Red dye no. 3 is seen as a hazardous dye too because of the hyperactive behavior it can cause, along with a hard time concentrating, but that’s not the only reason it is hazardous. The main reason for the ban is because red dye no. 3 is linked to possible health effects, such as cancer, hives and migraines, that were all found in tests. California plans to start the ban in the year 2027, preventing these causes. Many agree with the ban.
John W. North High School student Jaden Lakes-Guevara on if he agrees with the ban, he responded with, “Yes, I agree with the ban because it has cancer-causing substances that can really affect the lives of people and their families.”
Even though some studies have found red dye to be linked to negative health effects, its approval from the FDA as safe for consumption means it can still be found in most candies and beverages.
