According to healthline.com, “artificial food dye consumption has increased by 500% in the last 50 years, and children are the biggest consumers.” Also according to healthline.com, “Over the years, hundreds of artificial food dyes have been developed, but a majority of them have since been found to be toxic.” Regulation agencies such as the FDA and the European Food Safety Authority have deemed that food dyes do not impose significant health risks, however some food dyes can be deemed safe in one country and dangerous in another which may lead to confusion about its safety.

Healthline.com found that an animal study done on blue 2 found a significant increase in brain tumors but it was concluded that there was not enough evidence to ban it as other studies showed no adverse side effects. Similarly, Red 3 showed signs of an increased chance for thyroid cancer; it was temporarily banned in 1990 but the ban was later removed after reviewing the research. They believed that the thyroid tumors were not directly caused by Red 3.

According to nbcnews.com, the legislature of California passed a bill to ban four kinds of food dyes. The bill will take effect only if signed by the governor, Gavin Newsom, and will begin taking effect in 2027. The four chemicals in the bill have already been banned in the European Union and many other places in the world, but have been permitted by the FDA. The dyes in question are Red 3, Potassium Bromate, Brominated Potassium Oil, and Proplyparaben which have been linked to health issues according to nbcnews.com.

Healthline.com also states; while most of the food dyes used today did not cause any adverse effects in toxicity studies, there is some concern about possible contaminants in the dyes which can cause cancer. Red 40, Yellow 5, and Yellow 6 may contain contaminants such as Benzidine, 4-aminobiphenyl, and 4-aminoazobenzene. However, they are permitted by the FDA because they are presumed to be safe at low levels of these carcinogens.