Red 3 Was Banned—But Don’t Fall for Red 40 This Valentine’s Day!

If you’ve been paying attention to food ingredient news, you may have heard that Red 3 has been banned in California due to its links to cancer and other health concerns. While this is a win for consumer health, there’s still a bigger problem lurking in Valentine’s Day treats—Red 40.

This February 14th, don’t let artificial dyes ruin the love! Red 40, one of the most common food colorings, has been linked to hyperactivity, behavioral issues, and possible carcinogenic effects. It’s still widely used in candies, baked goods, drinks, and even "healthy" snacks marketed to kids.

Let’s dive into what to avoid, what brands to watch out for, and the cleaner, healthier options that will let you celebrate love without sacrificing wellness!

🚨 Avoid These Red 40-Laden Treats

Red 40 can sneak into more than just candy. Here are some common Valentine’s treats that typically contain artificial dyes:

 🍬 Candy & Chocolate

• M&M’s (especially the red and pink ones)
• Skittles
• Starburst
• Twizzlers (Cherry & Strawberry flavors)
• Nerds
• Conversation Hearts (most brands)
• Gummy Bears & Gummy Worms

🧁 Baked Goods & Desserts

• Store-bought red velvet cake & cupcakes
• Pink-frosted donuts & cookies
• Many strawberry yogurts & puddings
• Artificially flavored fruit snacks

🥤 Drinks & Mixes

• Kool-Aid & powdered drink mixes
• Certain pink & red sports drinks (like some Gatorade flavors)
• Some strawberry-flavored plant-based milks
• Flavored sparkling waters with artificial colors

💔 Brands That Commonly Use Red 40

If you see these brands on store shelves, check the ingredient list before you buy:
❌ Betty Crocker (cake mixes, frosting)
❌ Duncan Hines (red velvet cakes, frostings)
❌ Jell-O (strawberry, cherry flavors)
❌ Hostess (pink snowballs, cupcakes)
❌ Pepsi & Mountain Dew (various flavors)
❌ Fruity Pebbles & Froot Loops (cereals)

💖 Cleaner Swaps for a Healthier Valentine’s Day

Good news: You don’t have to give up festive, delicious treats! There are plenty of naturally colored alternatives:

🍓 Natural Candy & Chocolate

Unreal Chocolate Gems (dyed with beet juice & turmeric)
SmartSweets Gummy Bears (no artificial dyes, lower sugar)
YumEarth Organic Fruit Chews
Justin’s Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups
Alter Eco Raspberry Dark Chocolate

🍰 Cleaner Baked Goods & Desserts

Make Your Own Red Velvet Cake using beet powder or natural food coloring
Simple Mills Frosting (dye-free and less processed)
Coconut Bliss Strawberry Ice Cream (made with real fruit)

🥤 Healthier Drinks

Waterloo Strawberry Sparkling Water (naturally flavored, no dyes)
Olipop Strawberry Vanilla Soda (gut-friendly and Red 40-free)
GT’s Kombucha (Pink Lady Apple or Strawberry)

❤️ This Valentine’s Day, skip the artificial junk and celebrate with real, clean ingredients that make you feel good inside and out. Avoiding Red 40 (and other synthetic dyes) isn’t about being restrictive—it’s about choosing better for yourself and your loved ones.

Got a favorite clean Valentine’s treat? Share it in the comments! 💬💖