Does Orange Fanta Have Red Dye? (Answered)

Beverages, Food & Beverage

Dyes in foods and beverages are a controversial topic. While man-made dyes are approved and regulated by the FDA, research has discovered some unfavorable results. For example, Red Dye 40 is believed to be associated with producing allergies, migraines, and mental disorders in kids (source).

If you wish to avoid red dyes or dyes in general, this article will inform you about what dyes are in Fanta Orange. Here is what is in this soda…

Orange Fanta & Red Dye

Yes, Orange Fanta has red dye. The specific red dye used is called Red 40. It produces a dark red color and is commonly used in a variety of beverages, candies, cereals, and more.

In addition to Red 40, Orange Fanta also contains the dye Yellow 6. Yellow 6 is also known as sunset yellow and it is an orange-yellow color.

The combination of Red 40 and Yellow 6 is what gives Orange Fanta its color. It also makes the beverage more appealing and helps convince the mind that what is being tasted is orange flavored.

Here are the ingredients in Fanta Orange with the dyes underlined:
Carbonated Water, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate (To Protect Taste), Natural Flavors, Modified Food Starch, Sodium Polyphosphates, Glycerol Ester Of Rosin, Yellow 6, Red 40.

Other Sodas With Red Dye

Orange Fanta isn’t the only soda that contains red dye. If you are looking to avoid red dye, here are several sodas that contain it.

Keep in mind that this list is not exhaustive. We encourage you to read the label ingredients for the most accurate and up-to-date ingredient information.

  • Strawberry Fanta – Red 40
  • Mtn Dew Code Red – Red 40, Yellow 5, Blue 1
  • Mtn Dew Live Wire – Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6
  • Ruby Red Squirt – Red 40
  • Cherry 7Up – Red 40
  • Faygo Red Pop – Red 40
  • Canada Dry Cranberry Ginger Ale – Red 40, Blue 1
  • Barq’s Red Creme Soda – Red 40
  • Crush Orange – Red 40, Yellow 6
  • Crush Grape – Red 40, Blue 1
  • Crush Strawberry – Red 40
  • Crush Watermelon – Red 40
  • Crush Peach – Red 40, Yellow 5
  • Sunkist Orange – Red 40, Yellow 6
  • Sunkist Grape – Red 40, Blue 1
  • Sunkist Strawberry – Red 40
  • Sunkist Cherry Limeade – Red 40, Yellow 5
  • Sunkist Peach – Red 40, Yellow 5
  • Sunkist Fruit Punch – Red 40
  • Cherrywine – Red 40, Caramel Color