Artificial colors

Is red 40 clean?

No. Our rubric flags red 40 under artificial colors (evidence: regulatory action). Petroleum-based dye in the FDA's 2025 phase-out plan; the EU requires a hyperactivity warning on foods that contain it. In the EU: allowed with a warning label.

Artificial colors Regulatory action

Penalty 30 of 100 · Balanced and Strict profiles

Petroleum-based dye in the FDA's 2025 phase-out plan; the EU requires a hyperactivity warning on foods that contain it.

Source: FDA and HHS, plan to phase out petroleum-based synthetic dyes in the US food supply (April 22, 2025)

Banned or restricted in the EU Regulatory action

Penalty 30 of 100 · Balanced and Strict profiles

EU foods with Allura Red (E129) must say it may affect activity and attention in children.

Source: McCann D et al., Food additives and hyperactive behaviour in 3-, 8/9-year-old children, The Lancet (2007); EU Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 Annex V warning label

Also on labels as

allura red, fd&c red no. 40, e129, red 40 lake

In the EU

Allowed with a warning label (E129). "May have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children."

Low-FODMAP status

Coming soon: whether it is low-FODMAP and at what serving.

Related ingredients

From Gutlog's clean ingredient rubric, version 2026.11.0. Ask your assistant "is this clean?" with a photo of the label and Gutlog checks every ingredient. General information, not medical advice.