Is Red 40 Safe for Babies 0–12 months?
For babies 0–12 months, Red 40 is best avoided. Part of the Southampton Six artificial dyes; a major UK FSA study associated these dyes with increased hyperactivity in children.
Why this rating?
Part of the Southampton Six artificial dyes; a major UK FSA study associated these dyes with increased hyperactivity in children. EFSA requires warning labels on products containing this dye.
More about Red 40 and babies
What Red 40 is
Red 40 is a synthetic color additive that the FDA authorizes for use in food, and it is listed on labels as FD&C Red No. 40 or Red 40. In Europe the same dye appears as Allura Red AC or E129. It is one of six petroleum-based certified dyes the FDA is working with industry to phase out, and it adds color only, with no nutritional benefit.
What the evidence and regulators say
A study funded by the UK Food Standards Agency at the University of Southampton associated mixtures of artificial colors, including Red 40, with increased hyperactivity in some children. In response, European rules require products containing the dye to carry a warning that it may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children. In the United States the dye remains authorized, but in April 2025 HHS and the FDA announced a plan to work with industry to phase out petroleum-based synthetic dyes, including Red 40, by the end of 2027 through voluntary commitments.
Why this entry says avoid
The concern is behavioral and statistical rather than a sign of acute toxicity, and responses vary between children. A baby or toddler gets no benefit from the dye, so the cautious choice in the first two years is to leave it out. This is a precautionary rating, and your pediatrician can advise on your own child.
Reducing dyes in a baby's day
The simplest step is to choose foods that are colored by their own ingredients, such as plain fruit and vegetable purees, plain yogurt and whole grains, and to read the ingredient list on anything that is brightly colored. The FDA has recently approved additional color additives from natural sources, including galdieria extract blue, gardenia blue, butterfly pea flower extract, calcium phosphate and beetroot red. Natural colors are not petroleum-based, but they are still decoration, so a plain product is the lowest-exposure choice.
Where it hides
Red 40 appears in fruit snacks, candy, drink mixes, gelatin desserts, flavored yogurts, cereals and baked goods. A no artificial colors claim is not always a guarantee, because the FDA has said it will use enforcement discretion to allow that claim on products without petroleum-based colors, which can include colors from natural sources. Read the ingredient list for Red 40, Allura Red or E129 rather than relying on the front of the pack.
In short
In short, a baby gains nothing from Red 40, so skipping it in the first year is a low-cost precaution. Read ingredient lists for Red 40, Allura Red and E129, expect more products to change as the industry moves away from petroleum-based dyes, and ask your pediatrician about anything specific to your child.
How Red 40 is rated by age
The same ingredient can carry a different rating as a child grows. These are the ratings for each age group that has a guide for Red 40.
| Age group | Rating |
|---|---|
| babies 0–12 months | Avoid |
| toddlers 12–24 months | Avoid |
Other age group
Is Red 40 safe for toddlers 12–24 months?Sources
- EFSA — regulatory_or_public_health_body
- FDA — regulatory_or_public_health_body
Reviewed by Morvarid Nikousokhantayar, MSc Nutrition, Certified Naturopath & Nutritionist — last reviewed September 27, 2026.
This is general feeding information, not medical advice. Talk to your pediatrician about your child's allergies and needs.
Checking a whole product?
Scan a baby food label with LabelBaby to see every ingredient checked for your child's age. Learn about LabelBaby, or browse every 0–12 months ingredient guide.
