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Dye-Free Candy & Snacks for Kids

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Are you looking for ways to reduce or remove food dyes in your diet?  Today I want to share with you some dye-free candy and snacks for kids. 

dye-free candy and snacks

I have heard for a long time about how bad artificial dyes are, but am finally waking up to the harmful effects of them.  Sometimes you have to be ready (and willing) to receive information.  I have kids with ADHD.  I have tried to reduce the dyes in our home because I read that food dyes can increase these symptoms. 

to dye for the documentary

I just watched: To Dye For: The Documentary.  It was eye opening and really helped me solidify my plans to remove artificial food dyes from our home and our diets.  If you have kids with behavior issues, kids who throw regular tantrums or are defiant, you will definitely want to watch this. Even if you don’t this is important information. to know and understand.  

I am a part of a couple of dye-free Facebook groups that have also taught me so much.  This is where I started learning about and collecting my list of dye-free candy & snacks. I have been absorbing the information there and elsewhere.  Now, I am ready to make changes for our whole family. If you are in the same place, or are at the beginning of your journey, I hope this information as well as this list of dye-free candy & snacks can help you!  

Have you followed The Food Babe’s journey? She is working hard to get dyes & other chemicals out of foods targeted to kids. She is petitioning Kellogg’s and other major food companies. I’m grateful for people with a voice who are speaking out, and thought I would do the same. 

Why Are Synthetic Food Dyes Bad For Us?

Key Concerns and Potential Risks From All Dyes:

  1. Behavioral Effects:

    Synthetic dyes have been linked to hyperactivity and attention issues, particularly in children. The “Southampton Study” found that certain dye mixes exacerbated these issues.

  2. Allergic Reactions:

    Many dyes can cause allergic reactions or sensitivities, especially in individuals with existing allergies or sensitivities.

  3. Carcinogenic Potential:

    Animal studies have raised concerns about the cancer risk of some dyes, although research in humans is still quite limited.

  4. Cumulative Effect:

    Prolonged exposure to synthetic dyes may contribute to chronic health issues, especially when consumed regularly in processed foods.

How Synthetic Dyes are Made:

Synthetic food dyes are chemically produced substances. They are usually derived from petroleum (crude oil) or coal tar. These dyes are created through chemical synthesis in a laboratory, allowing manufacturers to produce vibrant and stable colors at a low cost. Sound like something we should be eating?  I sure don’t think so. 

Dyes Allowed in the U.S. But Banned Elsewhere:

  • Red 40: Banned in several European countries, requires warning labels in the EU.
  • Yellow 5 (Tartrazine): Restricted or labeled in the EU, banned in Norway and Austria.
  • Yellow 6: Restricted in Europe.
  • Red 3: Banned in Canada and the EU due to carcinogenic concerns. (The day I posted this, 1/15/25, the FDA banned this dye in the U.S. They gave food manufacturers 2 years to reformulate their products and drug companies 3 years. This is a good start!) 

Most Commonly Used Food Dyes in the US:

Red 40 (Allura Red AC)

Commonly found in candies, soft drinks, snacks, and desserts
Potential Health Risks Include:
-Hyperactivity in children and contribute to attention-related disorders.
-Allergic reactions, such as hives or swelling, in sensitive individuals.
-Potential link to immune system dysfunction and cancer.

Yellow 5 (Tartrazine)

Commonly found in cereals, chips, baked goods, and beverages.
Potential Health Risk:
-Hyperactivity in children.
-Allergic reactions, particularly in individuals sensitive to aspirin.
-Skin rashes.

Yellow 6 (Sunset Yellow FCF)

Commonly found in candy, baked goods, and beverages.
Potential Health Risks:
-Hyperactivity and behavioral issues in children.
-Gastrointestinal upset and skin reactions in sensitive individuals.
-Connection to kidney and adrenal gland tumors.

Blue 1 (Brilliant Blue FCF)

Commonly found in candies, beverages, and frostings.
Potential Health Risks:
-Allergic reactions and skin sensitivities.
-Potential neurotoxicity at high doses.

Blue 2 (Indigo Carmine)

Commonly found in candies, ice creams, and beverages.
Potential Health Risks:
-Hyperactivity and learning difficulties in children.
-Link to brain and bladder tumors.

Green 3 (Fast Green FCF)

Commonly found in candies, beverages, and desserts.
Potential Health Risks:
-Carcinogenic effects at high doses.
-Skin irritation or allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.

Red 3 (Erythrosine)

Commonly found in candies, baked goods, and cake decorations.
Potential Health Risks:
-Thyroid tumors in animal studies.
-Increase sensitivity to light, potentially affecting skin and eyes.

Some Foods that Contain Red 3: Pez candy, maraschino cherries, some gummy vitamins, some cough syrups, Brach’s candy corn, Fruit by the Foot, Jelly Belly candy, Double Bubble gum, strawberry flavored milk, cookies with red icing, PediaSure strawberry shake

Dye-Free Snack Alternatives

Often it is easy to spot food dyes in foods. You see fruity cereals and know that they are full of dye, artificial ingredients and preservatives.  But many foods have hidden dyes that you will not know about unless you read the ingredient list.

Foods like butter, salad dressings, spice mixes, fruit-flavored applesauces, medicines, vitamins, and even pickles may surprise you with their list of ingredients.  The simple truth is, if you are serious about giving up food dyes, you will have to read ingredients regularly. 

Look for trusted brands like Trader Joe’s, Annie’s, EnjoyLife, MadeGood, Bare Snacks, That’s It, Simple Mills, Kind, Lara Bar, Cliff Bar. Support companies who are listening and keeping these chemicals out. 

The easiest way to give up these substances is by eating whole foods that are minimally processed and by making your own foods.  Instead of boxed and packaged snacks, serve your family healthier options such as:

  • Whole grains, whole wheat breads, quinoa, brown rice, oats (but watch out for the prepackaged ones)
  • Fresh fruits and vegetables: such as carrots, celery, cucumbers, apples, oranges bananas, grapes, berries. Dried fruits and fruit leathers are good options, too. 
  • Nuts and seeds such as sunflower seeds, walnuts, peanuts, almonds, cashews, trail mix without the chocolate candy pieces
  • Salty snacks such as pretzels or crackers (but read the ingredient lists), rice cakes,  homemade popcorn (not the processed kind)
  • Dairy such as cheese, and yogurt (but some have dyes, so read labels
  • Granola bars- can have lots of sugar and artificial ingredients, so read labels! 
  • Lean proteins such as seafood, chicken and eggs

Natural Food Dyes

Did you know there are even natural food dye options available?  We have used some and they work great!  They are  made from plants, fruits, and vegetables such as beet juice, turmeric, spirulina, and paprika extract. If you are baking your own treats, you can still color them to make them festive for birthdays and other events. 

Whole Foods makes a plant-based food coloring pack. ColorKitchen has some natural food dye, as well as Watkins. It will be harder to get bright vibrant colors like we are used to with synthetic dye, but in reality our health matters more than appearances! 

You can get dye-free sprinkles, too! Whole Foods, Natural Rainbow Sprinkles, Judee’s, Watkins, and Softies are a few. 

Dye-Free Candy & Snacks for Kids

Now I know most of the following dye-free candies are not healthy. Just taking out dye does not make it immediately healthy! But, sometimes kids still really want or need a treat!  Reducing the amount of toxins in a food helps.  

The following candies do not use synthetic dyes. Any of them are still full of plenty of other unhealthy ingredients, so keep that in mind and still try to consume them sparingly! (Processed sugar is a whole other post. . .) 

Try these YUMMY Homemade Pixie Sticks!

Albanese True to Fruit Gummy Bears

Black Forest Organic Gummy Bears– these are organic, with natural dyes and flavors. 

Chupa Chups: The original flavors are dye-free and made with fruit juice flavors, too.  The sour ones had some dye in the ingredient list. 

Fruit Mentos: the fruity mentos were my favorites when I was young!  These are synthetic dye free & the flavors are made from real fruit juice, too!

Some Haribos – Unicorn Gummies are dye-free

Heaven & Earth Lil Taffy– good for a laffy taffy substitute!

Hi-Chew– this great candy is synthetic dye free!

The Jelly Bean Planet

Joy Ride Sour Strips: Dye-free sour fruit candies

Mamba Fruit Chews: these are made from natural plant dyes. 

Red VInes Madę Simple

SmartSweets– they make a variety of gummy candies that are low in sugar and dye-free.

Starburst Goodies Gummies– plant-based, natural fruit flavor & colors

Sweet Tart Ropes (not regular sweet tarts) are artificial dye free. 

Tic Tac Chewy Sour

Trader Joe’s Candy- They have an M & M type candy & some holiday jelly beans as well as other candies that are all dye-free.

UNREAL candies are so good!  I’ve been eating their lower sugar chocolates for a while. They have a great M&M alternative. They have peanut ones, too!  I love their snickers substitute the most!

YumEarth Organics– This brand makes several types of candies that are all natural. They are allergen and dye-free. They have alternatives of gummy bears, skittles, fruit snacks, lollipops, sour patch kids, candy canes, and hard candies. 

 

Dye-Free Snacks for Kids

I listed lots of healthy options up above for healthy and natural snacks.  Here are a few pre-packaged options. These are healthy and delicious snack options. 

Dye-Free Drinks:

Dye Free Vitamins for Kids:

There are so many more options, but these are just a few to help you as you start your dye-free journey!  

See More Nutrition Related Content:

Healthy Habits Challenge for Families

Natural ADHD Support for Kids

Feed Me: Healthy Kids Nutrition Game

Kids Cooking Lesson: Peanut Butter Balls

Zucchini Gummy Recipe Kids Love

3 Ingredient Homemade Pixie Sticks with Real Fruit!

Former school teacher turned homeschool mom of 4 kids. Loves creating awesome hands-on creative learning ideas to make learning engaging and memorable for all kids!

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