Some sodas have some work to do if they’re going to get compliant with the FDA’s wishes.
Driven by Health and Human Services Director Robert F Kennedy, Jr (RFK, Jr), the FDA is looking to get certain petroleum-based artificial dyes out of American food and drinks by the end of 2026, ideally through voluntary compliance by the large food companies.
This includes these common dyes:
- FD&C Red 40
- Citrus Red 2
- Orange B
- FD&C Yellow 5
- FD&C Yellow 6
- FD&C Green 3
- FD&C Blue 1
- FD&C Blue 2
Here are 7 popular sodas that currently have “banned” dyes in them.
Sunkist
This classic orange soda gets its coloring from Yellow 6 and Red 40 (back to grade school, yellow and red make orange!).
Mountain Dew
Mountain Dew’s distinctive yellow/kinda greenish coloring is created with the help of Yellow 5.
Crush
Like Sunkist, the orange version of Crush uses Yellow 6 and Red 40. The cherry version has both Red 40 and Blue 1. Meanwhile the strawberry and watermelon versions just use Red 40. If you’re looking for an artificial dye-free version, try Crush Grapefruit.
Big Red
This soda from Texas isn’t quite as well-known as many of the other sodas on this list, but if you know, you know. As you might guess, Big Red contains Red 40.
Fanta
The dyes in Fanta depend on the flavor. For instance, the Fanta Orange is Yellow 6, the Fanta Citrus is Yellow 5, and the Fanta Lemon has no artificial dyes.
Mello Yellow
Not too surprisingly, Coke’s Mountain Dew imitator also has Yellow 5 for its coloring.
Cheerwine
This Southern favorite uses Red 40 for its distinctive look.
There you go…seven sodas that will probably swap out natural coloring agents for the artificial ones in the next year or two.
We’ll see how good the chemists are!
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