What Candy Has Red 40? A Complete List

Red 40 (also labeled Allura Red AC, FD&C Red No. 40, or E129) is the most widely used artificial food dye in the United States. It shows up in everything from gummy bears to fruit snacks to hard candies — and it's the dye parents search for most when checking labels.

After the FDA banned Red No. 3 in January 2025 and Mars announced plans to remove artificial dyes from its entire lineup, more people than ever are asking: which candies actually contain Red 40?

We went through the ingredient labels so you don't have to.

Candies that contain Red 40

These popular candy brands list Red 40 (Allura Red AC) on their ingredient labels as of early 2026. Formulations can change, so always check the package you're buying.

Gummy bears and gummy candy:

• Haribo Goldbears — Red 40, Yellow 5, Blue 1
• Trolli Sour Brite Crawlers — Red 40, Yellow 5, Blue 1
• Black Forest gummy bears (classic, non-organic line) — Red 40
• Brach's gummy bears — Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6

Fruit snacks:

• Welch's Fruit Snacks — Red 40, Blue 1
• Mott's Fruit Flavored Snacks — Red 40, Yellow 6, Blue 1
• Betty Crocker Fruit Roll-Ups — Red 40, Yellow 5, Blue 1

Hard candy and chewy candy:

• Skittles (original) — Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1 (Mars has announced plans to transition)
• Starburst (original) — Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1
• Swedish Fish — Red 40
• Sour Patch Kids — Red 40, Yellow 5, Blue 1
• Jolly Rancher — Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1
• Nerds — Red 40, Blue 1
• Airheads — Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1
• Mike and Ike — Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1
• Hot Tamales — Red 40, Yellow 5

Chocolate candy with colored shells:

• M&M's — Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1, Blue 2 (Mars has announced plans to transition)
• Reese's Pieces — Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1

Note: Mars announced in 2024-2025 that it plans to remove artificial dyes from products including M&M's and Skittles, but the transition timeline spans several years. Check current labels.

Candies that are Red 40 free

These brands have already removed artificial dyes or never used them:

• USA Gummies — No Red 40 or any artificial dyes. Colors come from fruit and vegetable extracts (beet juice, turmeric, spirulina, carrot). Made in the USA.
• YumEarth — Organic, plant-based colors from fruit and vegetable concentrates.
• Surf Sweets — Colored with organic fruit and vegetable juice.
• Unreal Candy — No artificial colors in any products.
• SmartSweets — Uses plant-based colors.
• Black Forest Organic — The organic line (not the classic line) uses juice concentrates for color.
• Hu Kitchen — No artificial anything, including dyes.
• Justin's — Peanut butter cups use no artificial colors.

How to check for Red 40 on labels

Red 40 can appear under several names on ingredient labels:

• Red 40
• Allura Red AC
• Allura Red
• FD&C Red No. 40
• E129 (European labeling)
• CI 16035 (color index number)

It's always listed in the ingredients section, usually near the end alongside other artificial colors. If you see any of the color names above, or "artificial colors" / "color added," the product likely contains synthetic dyes.

Why people avoid Red 40

Red 40 is approved by the FDA for use in food, but it has drawn scrutiny for several reasons:

• Behavioral concerns: Multiple studies have examined possible links between Red 40 and hyperactivity in children. The European Union requires warning labels on foods containing Red 40 stating the dye "may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children."
• Allergic reactions: Some people report sensitivity reactions including hives and headaches.
• Petroleum origin: Red 40 is synthesized from petroleum byproducts, which some consumers prefer to avoid.
• California disclosure: California passed a law requiring disclosure of certain artificial dyes in foods sold in schools.

The FDA's position is that Red 40 is safe at current levels of consumption, though the agency continues to review emerging research.

The bigger picture

Red 40 is just one of several artificial food dyes commonly used in candy. Others include:

| Dye | Common name | Status | |-----|------------|--------| | Red No. 3 | Erythrosine | Banned by FDA (Jan 2025) | | Red No. 40 | Allura Red | Approved (warning labels in EU) | | Yellow No. 5 | Tartrazine | Approved (warning labels in EU) | | Yellow No. 6 | Sunset Yellow | Approved (warning labels in EU) | | Blue No. 1 | Brilliant Blue | Approved | | Blue No. 2 | Indigo Carmine | Approved |

The trend is clearly moving toward fewer artificial dyes in food. Major manufacturers including Mars, General Mills, Kraft Heinz, and PepsiCo/Frito-Lay have announced reformulation plans, though timelines vary.

Finding candy without Red 40

If you're looking to avoid Red 40, here are practical tips:

1. Check the ingredient label — look for any of the names listed above
2. Look for "no artificial colors" on the front of the package
3. Choose organic options — USDA Organic rules prohibit synthetic dyes
4. Check our dye-free candy guide for a deeper breakdown of what to look for
5. Try USA Gummies — we've been dye-free from day one, with colors from fruit and vegetable extracts

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Related reading:

• Is Red 40 Bad for You? What the Research Says
• Yellow 5 & Yellow 6: What Parents Should Know
• Blue 1 (Brilliant Blue) in Candy
• Best Dye-Free Candy Brands in 2026
• FDA Red No. 3 Ban: What to Know
• Artificial Dyes in Europe vs the US