An analysis of 40 popular food products used in American households found that a quarter of them contained additives that exceeded safety thresholds for consumption.
Conducted by wellness company Yuka and Consumer Reports, the analysis tested several food items for eight additives and two contaminants.
“One-quarter contained concerning levels of additives—enough that a single serving had more than the amount some public health agencies have identified as safe for adults or children to consume daily,” Consumer Reports said in a June 9 report.
“Nearly two-thirds of the 40 products tested contained enough of at least one additive to exceed a broader group of reference levels associated with an increased risk of developing cancer, heart disease, or diabetes,” the report said.
The analyzed food items included snacks, desserts, ice creams, processed meat, chips, yogurt, sodas, gelatins, flavored drinks, fruit juices, puddings, pastries, energy drinks, sweet baked goods, and potato-based products, Yuka said in a June 9 report.
Product samples were analyzed in an ISO 17025-accredited laboratory. The concentration of additives was then compared against daily safety thresholds identified by public health agencies in the United States or Europe, as well as peer-reviewed studies.
Coloring additive Red 40, and artificial sweeteners acesulfame-K, aspartame, and sucralose, were the most frequently identified at “concerning” levels.
As for contaminants, a considerable quantity was found in six out of 13 tested products, the report said.
“Taken together, these results raise serious concerns given how frequently these products are consumed. Many are eaten daily by millions of children and adults across the United States. More importantly, several of these products can easily be consumed within the same day, leading to cumulative exposure to multiple additives of concern,” Yuka said.
According to the Environmental Working Group, Red 40 is of “moderate concern” in food. Specific concerns about the additive include allergic reactions, negative impacts on an enzyme critical for the endocrine system, hypersensitivity reactions, and adverse neurobehavioral outcomes among children.
As for artificial sweeteners, a 2023 study published in the Cureus journal suggested that these additives “can impact various functions of the gastrointestinal, neurologic, and cardiovascular systems.”
Red 40
Five products were found to contain enough Red 40 in a single serving to exceed the daily safety level for children as identified by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, the Yuka report said.
These items were Jell-O chocolate fudge Zero Sugar Instant Pudding; Ocean Spray Diet Cran-Grape Juice; Cheetos Flamin’ Hot Crunchy; Takis Fuego, and grape Kool-Aid Liquid Drink Mix.
“Even more concerning, three of these products contained levels high enough to also exceed the daily safety level identified for adults,” the report said, adding that recent scientific evidence suggests that “children may be biologically more vulnerable to the neurological effects of this coloring, as their brains are still developing.”
Moreover, studies suggest that individuals who are chronically exposed to Red 40 may experience behavioral changes, including attention disorders and hyperactivity, according to the report.
Artificial Sweeteners
As for the three artificial sweeteners, 19 out of 21 tested products contained at least one sweetener in a single serving at high enough levels that they pose an increased risk of adverse health effects, including cardiovascular disease and cancer.
“Among the beverages analyzed, the most concerning amounts of acesulfame-K and aspartame were found in sugar-free sodas from major brands such as Pepsi, Sunkist, Mountain Dew, 7UP, and Coca-Cola,” the report said.
A single serving of Ratio’s High Protein Dairy Snack Vanilla, marketed as a high-protein product, was found to fulfill 52 percent of the Food and Drug Administration’s Acceptable Daily Intake of sucralose for children.
The analysis also found titanium dioxide additives in “extremely high levels” in Hostess’ Donettes, Mini Powdered Donuts. The additive is banned in the European Union due to concerns regarding its potential to cause genotoxicity, in which DNA strands break and cause chromosomal damage.
Responding to Yuka’s inquiries, Kraft Heinz, the manufacturer of Jell-O Zero Sugar Instant Pudding and Kool-Aid Liquid Drink Mix, said that Red 40 levels in these products were “within approved limits.” The company said it was in the process of discarding the use of synthetic dyes from part of its portfolio.
Ocean Spray said its products were manufactured in compliance with current regulations set by the FDA. The company indicated plans to use natural colors in some of its drinks.
The Epoch Times reached out to other companies for comments but did not receive a response by publication time.
US Action Against Additives
The Trump administration has moved against additives in food. In April 2025, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the FDA announced a series of measures to phase out certain synthetic dyes from the food supply, including Red No. 40.
In an April 22, 2025, statement, the International Association of Color Manufacturers had raised concerns about the policy.
“Color additives have been rigorously reviewed by global health bodies, such as the U.S. FDA, the European Food Safety Authority, and the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives, with no safety concerns,” the association said at the time.
FAO/WHO refers to the Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization.
Seeking to quickly remove synthetic colors “would be highly disruptive, disregarding the need to transition supply chains, shore up agricultural resources, and transform manufacturing infrastructure,” it said.
Multiple food manufacturers have already announced plans to remove synthetic dyes from their products. In October 2025, retail giant Walmart said it would remove the dyes and certain artificial additives from its branded products.
Cereal manufacturer General Mills has announced plans to get rid of synthetic colors from all its cereals by summer 2026.
In February this year, retailer Target also announced the removal of synthetic colors from its branded cereals.
“We know consumers are increasingly prioritizing healthier lifestyles, and we’re moving quickly to evolve our offerings to meet their needs,” said Cara Sylvester, Target executive vice president and chief merchandising officer.
Meanwhile, HHS said in a Feb. 10 statement that the FDA was assessing the use of butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), a chemical preservative used in food products. The review will look into whether the chemical is safe for use in food items based on the latest scientific information. BHA is one of the additives investigated in the Yuka report.
“This reassessment marks the end of the ‘trust us’ era in food safety,” said Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
“If BHA cannot meet today’s gold-standard science for its current uses, we will remove it from the food supply and continue cleaning up food chemicals—starting where children face the greatest exposure.”