Artificial additives
Artificial color (generic declaration)
Definition
What it is
Artificial synthetic dye: linked to hyperactivity in children; requires mandatory warning label in the EU. The FDA is currently reviewing authorization following California's 2023 ban of several dyes in school foods.
On the label
How it appears on labels
- artificial color
- artificial colour
- artificial colors
- artificial colours
- color added
- colour added
Regulation
Regulatory status
- European Union Warning label required
- Japan Restricted
- United States Restricted
Explainer
In plain language
This flag covers generic declarations like 'artificial color', 'color added', or 'artificial colors' that do not name the specific dye used. These are usually synthetic dyes made from petroleum-derived materials, added purely for appearance. Because the label does not say which dye is inside, you cannot tell from the product alone whether it contains Red 40, Yellow 5, Blue 1, or another synthetic color.
Assessment
Why it is flagged
Synthetic food dyes as a group have been associated with increased hyperactivity in some children. A 2007 randomized trial published in The Lancet, often called the Southampton study, linked mixtures of synthetic dyes to hyperactive behavior in some children from the general population, and on that evidence the EU requires many foods containing certain dyes to carry a warning about effects on activity and attention in children. In the US, California passed laws in 2023 and 2024 restricting several dyes in school foods and banning some additives statewide, and the FDA has continued to review dye authorizations. Clear Label flags generic color declarations at high severity mainly because of this uncertainty: you cannot see which dye is present, and sensitivity clearly varies from person to person. These are group-level associations to test, not proof of harm to everyone.
In the aisle
Where it commonly shows up
- Candy and gummies
- Brightly colored drinks and drink mixes
- Frostings, cake mixes, and sprinkles
- Flavored snack chips and cheese snacks
- Breakfast cereals
- Some medicines, vitamins, and supplements
Practical
Reading the label
When a label says 'artificial color', 'color added', or 'colors' without naming a specific dye, you cannot tell which one it is. Products that spell out names like Red 40 or Yellow 5 are more transparent, even though those dyes carry their own flags.
Alternatives
If you want to avoid it
Some people choose products colored with sources like beet juice, turmeric, paprika extract, or annatto, or uncolored versions of the same food. Note that annatto itself is a low-severity Clear Label flag because of rare sensitivity reactions, so checking the label still helps.
FAQ
Common questions
Which dye is in a product that just says 'artificial color'?
You cannot tell from a generic declaration. That lack of disclosure is a large part of why Clear Label flags it, since you cannot check it against a specific dye you may be sensitive to.
Are artificial colors banned in the US?
Not as a category. California restricted several dyes in school foods and banned some additives in recent state laws, and the FDA revoked authorization for Red 3 in foods in January 2025, but many synthetic colors remain permitted nationally.
Do artificial colors affect every child?
No. The trials behind the EU warning observed effects in some children, not all, and individual sensitivity varies. Logging foods and behavior over time is the honest way to see whether it matters in your household.
Citations
Sources
Citation
Primary reference
About this page: the definition, label names, severity, and regulatory chips come from the clearlabel ingredient taxonomy, the same data the scanner uses to score products. Research summaries describe associations reported in published studies, not diagnoses; individual responses vary. Scan any product with clearlabel to see which of its ingredients carry flags.