Red 40 is not banned in Europe. The EU allows it, along with Yellow 5 and Yellow 6, but foods that contain them must carry a warning that they "may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children." What Europe did ban is titanium dioxide (E171), a whitening agent that's still legal in US food.
Is Red 40 banned in Europe?
No. In Europe, Red 40 goes by allura red, or E129. Under the EU's 2008 food additives law, any food containing one of six colors must carry that warning. They're often called the "Southampton six":
Allura red (E129), sold in the US as Red 40
Tartrazine (E102), sold in the US as Yellow 5
Sunset yellow (E110), sold in the US as Yellow 6
Quinoline yellow (E104), carmoisine (E122) and ponceau 4R (E124), which aren't among the FDA's certified colors for food
Red 3, or erythrosine (E127), was limited to cocktail and candied cherries as of the EU's 2011 safety review.
Why does Europe put a warning label on food dyes?
The label traces to a 2007 study from Southampton, England, published in The Lancet. Researchers gave 153 three-year-olds and 144 children ages 8 to 9 two mixtures of these colors plus a preservative, sodium benzoate.
In 2008, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) found "limited evidence" of a small effect on activity and attention in some children. The effects weren't consistent across ages or mixtures, and EFSA didn't change its safe-intake limits. The EU's food additives law, adopted that December, requires the warning on foods with any of the six colors anyway.
The FDA says most children have no adverse effects from color additives, "but some evidence suggests that certain children may be sensitive to them." A 2021 California review went further, concluding synthetic dyes can result in hyperactivity and other behavior problems in some children, and that federal intake limits "may not sufficiently protect children's behavioral health."
What has Europe actually banned?
The clearest example is titanium dioxide, a white coloring once used in candy, chewing gum, cake icing and baked goods. In May 2021, EFSA said it could no longer consider it safe because it couldn't rule out that the particles damage DNA. The EU withdrew its approval, and the transition period ended on Aug. 7, 2022.
The FDA sees it differently. It still allows titanium dioxide at up to 1 percent of a food's weight, says it found no genotoxicity concerns in the available data, and notes that regulators in the UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand haven't agreed with EFSA. Its page, last updated in 2024, says it is reviewing a 2023 petition to end the additive's use.
New human data adds to the concern. In a 2026 study, 31 adults ate 2 mg of titanium dioxide per kilogram of body weight daily for two weeks. Colon biopsies showed changes in gene activity tied to oxidative stress and processes linked to colorectal cancer. It was small and short, and didn't measure disease. Mars, for its part, says it removed titanium dioxide from US Skittles at the end of 2024.
What is the US doing about food dyes?
Red 3 is on its way out. The FDA revoked Red 3 on Jan. 15, 2025, under the Delaney Clause of federal food law, after studies found cancer in male rats exposed to high levels. The FDA says the way it caused cancer in rats doesn't occur in humans. Food makers have until Jan. 15, 2027, to remove it from candy, baked goods, frozen desserts, frosting and other foods.
Six others are being phased out voluntarily. In April 2025, HHS and the FDA announced a plan to eliminate Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1, Blue 2 and Green 3 "by the end of next year," meaning 2026. It's a request to industry, not a ban, and the FDA's own pledge tracker now lists the end of 2027 as the goal.
Two rarely used dyes are going. In July 2026, the FDA finalized its revocation of Orange B, once allowed on hot dog casings, and proposed revoking Citrus Red 2, used on orange peels. The FDA says industry appears to have abandoned both.
Natural colors are getting approved. New options include gardenia blue, galdieria extract blue and beetroot red. Since February 2026, companies can also label foods "no artificial colors" if they contain no petroleum-based dyes, even if they contain colors from natural sources.
Which states and companies are dropping food dyes?
California bans Red 3 in food starting Jan. 1, 2027. A second law bars six synthetic dyes, including Red 40, from public school food by Dec. 31, 2027.
West Virginia has kept seven dyes out of school meals since Aug. 1, 2025. Its statewide ban, set for 2028, was put on hold by a federal judge in December 2025 as likely too vague.
Texas passed a law requiring warning labels on foods with any of 44 ingredients, including synthetic dyes. In February 2026, a federal judge blocked enforcement against members of four food industry groups, finding the labels likely violate free speech rights.
Other states, including Utah, Virginia, Iowa and Alaska, have passed laws limiting dyes in school food, according to a state law tracker.
The FDA's tracker also lists more than 30 industry pledges. Kraft Heinz and Hershey are aiming for the end of 2027. General Mills promised cereals and school foods by summer 2026, and everything else by the end of 2027. Campbell's and Nestlé USA report they're done. These are promises, not laws.
How can you spot synthetic dyes on a food label?
In the US, labels must name any FDA-certified color, such as "FD&C Blue No. 1" or simply "Blue 1." Look for Red 40, Red 3, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1, Blue 2 and Green 3.
Colors exempt from certification, including those from natural sources, can be listed together as "artificial colors" or "color added." So "artificial colors" doesn't always mean petroleum-based dyes, and "no artificial colors" doesn't mean no added color. In Europe, look for E numbers, like E129.
The bottom line
Red 40, Yellow 5 and Yellow 6 are legal in Europe, but foods with them carry a warning about children's activity and attention.
Europe banned titanium dioxide in 2022. The US still allows it, though some brands have dropped it.
Red 3 must be out of US food by Jan. 15, 2027. The goal for six other dyes is now the end of 2027, and it relies on voluntary pledges.
The research points to some sensitive children, not all kids. If you notice a pattern in your child, talk to your pediatrician.
More from Healthy Again
Banned In Europe, Still In Your Candy (Sept. 14, 2026)
Sources
Healthy, Again. is health news, not medical advice. Talk to your doctor before changing any medicine or supplement.