Monday, October 31, 2011

Red #40 and the Places it Hides

There are many, many articles available online about the food dye red #40 and it's effect on children.  It can cause major behavior problems, emotional upheaval, hyperactivity and cause normally happy children to act "possessed".  How do I know?  Because our 3 year old daughter is also one of these children who is effected by it.
Red #40 is a menace to our children and it can be found in the most unlikely of places.  Below is a list of the most bizarre places red # 40 can be found.  You'll notice I didn't list the obvious red/pink/purple things, but the food items that are white, golden, yellow, etc. may also contain red food dye so don't be misled!

Baked Goods:
Pillsbury Crescent Rolls
-dough
Pillsbury Supreme Frosting
-vanilla (yep! Check the label!)
Pillsbury Moist Supreme Cake Mix
-Funfetti
-Yellow
Pillsbury Pie Crust
-Refrigerated Pie Crusts
Pillsbury Quick Bread & Coffee Cake Mix
-Cinnamon Swirl
Duncan Hines Deluxe Cake Mix
-Golden
-Fudge Marble
-Yellow
Duncan Hines Homestyle Frosting
-vanilla (yep! Check the label!)

Breakfast:
Trix Cereal
Eggo Waffles
-blueberry
-strawberry

Snacks:
Del Monte Fruit Salad
Yoplait-Trix Yogurt Snack Packs
Combos Pretzel Snacks
-Pizzeria Pretzel
Doritos
-Most flavors
Little Debbie
-Fudge Brownies
-Swiss Cake Rolls
Smuckers Fat Free Topping
-caramel

Drinks:
Ocean Spray Ruby Red Grapefruit Juice
Country Time Pink Lemonade
Crystal Light Pink Lemonade


Roughly 99% of the items below have red #40 in them:

popsicles
jello
fruit-snacks
lollipops and candy
cough syrups
liquid pain relievers/fever reducers

You can assume these items above have it unless it specifically says “dye-free”. Popsicles are easily made at home using various fruit juices. Annies brand organic fruit snacks use natural fruit and vegetable juices for color (check for these at Target, Publix and similar stores). Our latest find has been some awesome organic lollipops at the health food store. They're made by Yummy Earth, they taste great and are completely dye free.  Read the labels and make wise choices.  Your child will feel better and be healthier for it.

1 comment:

  1. It is hard to believe that Red #40 is in all those products, especially the vanilla stuff. Can't manufacturers find something else? At least there are becoming more choices with the dye-free products. Thanks

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