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The Dirty List

The Ingredients the Food Industry Doesn’t Explain.

These are the processed and ultra-processed ingredients that show up in everyday products. What they are, where they hide, what the research says, and what you can use instead. No fear. Just facts.

Harmful Ingredients

Maltodextrin

Bisphenol A (BPA) (can lining chemical)

Titanium Dioxide (E171)

Artificial Sweeteners (Aspartame, Sucralose)

Emulsifiers (Polysorbate 80, CMC)

Potassium Bromate

TBHQ (tert-Butylhydroquinone)

Sodium Nitrite & Nitrates

High-Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS)

Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT)

Azodicarbonamide (ADA)

Artificial Food Colors (e.g., Red 40, Yellow 5)

Description:

Artificial food colors (including Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1) are petroleum-derived synthetic dyes used to make processed foods look more vibrant and appealing. They serve zero nutritional purpose. Their only function is visual, making candy brighter, drinks more colorful, and cereal more attractive to children.

Found In:

  • Candy, gummy snacks, and fruit chews
  • Breakfast cereals (especially those marketed to children)
  • Sports drinks, sodas, and juice-flavored beverages
  • Frosting, cake mixes, and baked goods
  • Flavored chips and snack coatings
  • Ice cream and popsicles
  • Macaroni and cheese (powdered cheese packets)

Health Impact:

A landmark 2007 study published in The Lancet (the “Southampton Study”) found that mixtures of artificial food colors and sodium benzoate increased hyperactive behavior in children in the general population, not just those with ADHD. This led the European Union to require warning labels on foods containing these dyes, stating they “may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children.” The Center for Science in the Public Interest reported that artificial dye consumption has increased 500% in the past 50 years. Red 40 and Yellow 5, the two most widely used dyes, have shown genotoxic effects (DNA damage potential) in some studies. In 2021, the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment concluded that current FDA-acceptable intake levels for synthetic food dyes may not adequately protect children’s behavioral health.

Healthier Alternatives:

  • Foods colored with beet juice, turmeric, spirulina, or paprika extract
  • Brands that use “no artificial colors” (many major brands now offer clean versions)
  • Whole-fruit snacks and homemade popsicles instead of dyed versions
  • Natural food coloring kits for baking (India Tree, Color Garden)
  • European versions of the same products (often reformulated without synthetic dyes)

Learn more: How to Read Nutrition Labels

Scientific Evidence:

  • McCann et al. (2007, The Lancet): Southampton Study showing artificial color mixtures increased hyperactivity in 3-year-old and 8/9-year-old children in the general population
  • California OEHHA (2021): Report concluding that synthetic food dyes can cause or worsen neurobehavioral problems in some children at current exposure levels
  • Kobylewski & Jacobson (2012, International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health): Review finding Red 40, Yellow 5, and Yellow 6 contain known carcinogens as contaminants (benzidine, 4-aminobiphenyl)
  • Bateman et al. (2004, Archives of Disease in Childhood): Earlier trial confirming artificial food color and preservative mixtures increase hyperactive behavior in 3-year-old children
Screenshot of Diet Discipline website

Know This ⚠️

Quick Swaps

❌ Brightly colored candy and fruit snacks → ✅ Snacks colored with fruit and vegetable extracts
❌ Neon sports drinks with Yellow 5 → ✅ Coconut water or electrolyte mixes without dyes
❌ Boxed mac and cheese with Yellow 5/6 → ✅ Brands using turmeric and paprika for color (Annie's, Banza)

If a food needs dye to look edible, that tells you something.