The “all-natural” label on a snack food is a powerful marketing tool that can make you feel good about your purchase. However, because the FDA does not regulate the term, food companies can use it on products that contain highly processed and artificial ingredients. One of the most striking examples of this is the use of synthetic food dyes, such as Red 40 and Yellow 5, in snacks that are otherwise marketed as natural. This deceptive practice highlights the importance of always reading the ingredient list, not just the claims on the front of the box.
1. Pickles
You might assume that pickles get their color from, well, pickles. However, many popular brands of pickles, especially dill spears, use artificial colors like Yellow 5 to give them a more vibrant, appealing green hue. This is a classic example of a simple, “natural” product that often contains a completely unnecessary and artificial additive.
2. Fruit-Flavored Yogurt
Many yogurts that are marketed as “natural” and feature pictures of fresh fruit on the container use artificial colors to enhance their appearance. A strawberry yogurt might get its bright pink color from Red 40, not just from the strawberries. The “natural” claim often refers to the other ingredients. While artificial dye is quietly included in the ingredient list.
3. “Natural” Fruit Snacks
Parents often buy fruit snacks as a healthier alternative to candy. Especially when the box says “made with real fruit” and “all natural.” In reality, these snacks are often more candy than fruit. Many use artificial dyes to achieve their bright colors. A quick look at the ingredient list will frequently reveal a cocktail of Red 40, Yellow 6, and Blue 1.
4. Salad Dressings
A bottle of French or Catalina salad dressing can look appealingly red, but that color does not always come from paprika or tomatoes. Many “natural” salad dressing brands use Red 40 to give their product a more vibrant and consistent color. This is another case where an otherwise simple product is enhanced with a synthetic dye that most consumers would not expect.
5. Gelatin Desserts
Gelatin desserts, like Jell-O, are a classic treat, and some brands have tried to market “natural” versions. However, achieving the bright, jewel-toned colors that consumers expect often requires the use of artificial food dyes. It is very difficult to get that iconic cherry-red or lime-green color using only natural sources, so many brands still rely on synthetic colors.
6. Many Cereals
Even some cereals that are not marketed to children can fall into this trap. A cereal that seems wholesome and natural, like a berry-flavored granola or a multi-grain cluster cereal, may use artificial colors to make the “berry” pieces look redder. The “natural” claim on the front of the box can be a very misleading summary of what is inside.
7. Packaged “Fruit” Cups
Those single-serving fruit cups, especially the ones with cherries or mixed berries, often use artificial colors to make the fruit look brighter and more appealing. The maraschino cherries in a fruit cocktail, for example, are almost always dyed with Red 40. This is true even for brands that label their fruit cups as a “natural” source of vitamins.
8. Flavored Applesauce
A plain applesauce is a truly natural snack, but once flavors and colors are added, the situation changes. A strawberry or mixed berry-flavored applesauce that is marketed as “natural” will often get its pink or red hue from Red 40. The artificial color is used to make the product look more fruity and appealing to children.
9. Tortilla Chips
You would not expect to find artificial colors in a simple bag of tortilla chips, but they can be hiding in some flavored varieties. The bright red or orange coating on a spicy chili or nacho-flavored chip, even from a brand that claims to be “all natural,” can sometimes be created with a blend of Yellow 6 and Red 40.
The Truth Is in the Ingredients
The “all-natural” label is one of the most abused and misleading claims in the food industry. It is a marketing term, not a scientific or regulatory one. The presence of artificial colors in these seemingly natural snacks is a powerful reminder that the only way to know what you are eating is to ignore the claims on the front of the package. The truth of a product is always found in its ingredient list.
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What’s the most surprisingly artificial “natural” product you’ve ever found? Do you think the FDA should ban the use of the term “all natural”? Let us know!
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