In today’s fast-paced world, snacks have become a necessary part of our daily routine. Whether it’s a craving at work or a quick fix before a workout, we can’t seem to get enough of them. However, not all snacks are created equal. Many popular snack foods contain harmful additives, including Red 40 – a food dye that has been linked to various health effects and is found in flavored chips, popcorn, and snack mixes. In this article, we will unmask Red 40 and examine the dangers it poses to our health.

What is Red 40?

Red 40 is a synthetic food coloring used to give foods a bright red color. It is made from petroleum and is part of a family of dyes known as azo dyes. Red 40 is commonly found in snack foods, candy, beverages, and even medicine. It is approved by the FDA for use in food, but studies have shown it to be potentially harmful to our health.

What are the health risks of Red 40?

Research has linked Red 40 to a range of health problems, including behavioral issues in children, allergies, and hyperactivity. A 2016 study found that consuming Red 40 caused hyperactivity in both rats and human subjects. Furthermore, children with ADHD are more susceptible to the negative effects of Red 40 and other food dyes. Given that it is commonly found in snacks marketed to children, parents should be aware of the potential dangers of this additive.

Stay away from the following 40 brands that manufacture snack foods such as flavored chips, popcorn, and snack mixes, along with some of their products that may contain Red 40-infused ingredients:

Lay’s:

• Barbecue Potato Chips
• Sour Cream & Onion Potato Chips
• Classic Potato Chips
• Flamin’ Hot Potato Chips
• Cheddar & Sour Cream Potato Chips

Doritos:

• Nacho Cheese Tortilla Chips
• Cool Ranch Tortilla Chips
• Spicy Sweet Chili Tortilla Chips
• Blaze Tortilla Chips
• Fiery Habanero Tortilla Chips

Cheetos:

• Crunchy Cheese Flavored Snacks
• Flamin’ Hot Crunchy Cheese Flavored Snacks
• Puffs Cheese Flavored Snacks
• Flamin’ Hot Puffs Cheese Flavored Snacks
• Jumbo Puffs Cheese Flavored Snacks

Pringles:

• Sour Cream & Onion Potato Crisps
• Original Potato Crisps
• BBQ Potato Crisps
• Cheddar Cheese Potato Crisps
• Pizza Potato Crisps

Ruffles:

• Cheddar & Sour Cream Potato Chips
• Sour Cream & Onion Potato Chips
• Original Potato Chips
• Flamin’ Hot Potato Chips
• All Dressed Potato Chips

Pop Secret:

• Movie Theater Butter Popcorn
• Extra Butter Popcorn
• Homestyle Popcorn
• Kettle Corn Popcorn
• White Cheddar Popcorn

Angie’s BOOMCHICKAPOP:

• Sweet & Salty Kettle Corn
• Sea Salt Popcorn
• White Cheddar Popcorn
• Sweet BBQ Popcorn
• Real Butter Popcorn

Snyder’s of Hanover:

• Hot Buffalo Wing Pretzel Pieces
• Honey Mustard & Onion Pretzel Pieces
• Cheddar Cheese Pretzel Pieces
• Jalapeno Pretzel Pieces
• Honey Mustard & Onion Pretzel Sticks

Utz:

• Cheese Balls
• BBQ Potato Chips
• Sour Cream & Onion Potato Chips
• Cheese Curls
• Red Hot Potato Chips

Cape Cod:

• Sea Salt & Vinegar Potato Chips
• Sweet & Spicy Jalapeno Potato Chips
• Original Kettle Cooked Potato Chips
• White Cheddar & Sour Cream Potato Chips
• Waffle Cut Sea Salt Potato Chips

Herr’s:

• BBQ Potato Chips
• Sour Cream & Onion Potato Chips
• Honey BBQ Potato Chips
• Red Hot Potato Chips
• Salt & Vinegar Potato Chips

Wise:

• Sour Cream & Onion Potato Chips
• Barbecue Potato Chips
• Onion Rings
• Cheez Doodles
• Red Hot Riplets Potato Chips

Kettle Brand:

• Sea Salt Potato Chips
• Salt & Fresh Ground Pepper Potato Chips
• Jalapeno Potato Chips
• Honey Dijon Potato Chips
• Backyard Barbeque Potato Chips

Popchips:

• Sea Salt Popchips
• Barbeque Popchips
• Sour Cream & Onion Popchips
• Jalapeno Popchips
• Cheddar & Sour Cream Popchips

Pirate’s Booty:

• Aged White Cheddar Puffs
• Sour Cream & Onion Puffs
• Barbeque Puffs
• Veggie Puffs
• Bermuda Onion Puffs

Herr’s Popcorn:

• Movie Butter Popcorn
• Hot Cheese Popcorn
• Sour Cream & Onion Popcorn
• Caramel Popcorn
• Buffalo Blue Cheese Popcorn

Takis:

• Fuego Rolled Tortilla Chips
• Nitro Rolled Tortilla Chips
• Salsa Brava Rolled Tortilla Chips
• Guacamole Rolled Tortilla Chips
• Crunchy Fajitas Rolled Tortilla Chips

Lay’s Stax:

• Sour Cream & Onion Potato Crisps
• Original Potato Crisps
• Cheddar Potato Crisps
• BBQ Potato Crisps
• Salt & Vinegar Potato Crisps

Wise Cheez Doodles:

• Crunchy Cheese Doodles
• Puffed Cheese Doodles
• Jalapeno Poppers Cheese Doodles
• Bacon Poutine Cheese Doodles
• Nacho Cheese Doodles

Fruit Snacks

• Welch’s Fruit Snacks
• Kellogg’s Fruity Snacks
• Betty Crocker Fruit Snacks
• Mott’s Medleys Fruit Snacks
• Annie’s Organic Bunny Fruit Snacks
• Sun-Maid Sour Raisin Snacks
• Gushers Fruit Snacks

Rold Gold:

• Classic Tiny Twists Pretzels
• Honey Mustard Pretzel Thins
• Flamin’ Hot Thin Crisps
• Cheddar Pretzel Thins
• Honey Wheat Braided Twists

Alternatives to Red 40

Fortunately, there are plenty of healthy, natural alternatives to Red 40. Instead of reaching for flavored chips and popcorn, try snacking on fresh fruits, nuts, and seeds. If you’re craving something salty, opt for roasted chickpeas or air-popped popcorn with natural seasonings like herbs and spices. You can also try kale chips, veggie sticks, or hummus with whole-grain crackers.

Navigating food labels

When shopping for snacks, it’s essential to read food labels carefully. Look out for words like “artificial,” “synthetic,” and “FD&C” followed by a color and number (e.g., FD&C Red No. 40). In general, the fewer ingredients listed, the better. If you can’t pronounce an ingredient, it’s probably not something you want to put in your body.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, Red 40 is a synthetic food coloring that is found in many popular snack foods. It has been linked to various health problems, including hyperactivity and allergies. To reduce your exposure to this harmful additive, opt for healthy, natural snacks and read food labels carefully. Your body will thank you!

Further Reading:

• Is Your Diet Bringing You Closer To Health Risks? Unpacking the Dangers of Red-40 in the Grocery Aisles
• Dairy Dangers: Unveiling the Red-40 Contamination in Flavored Yogurts, Ice Creams, and Frozen Desserts
• Pretty but Poisonous: Avoid These Breakfast Cereals Containing Chemical Red-40
• Sweet Tooth to Sweet Poison: Unveiling the Dark Side of Red-40 In Desserts and Sweets
• Are You Drinking Dangerous Chemicals? 33 Beverage Brands That Use Red-40 In Their Products