Does Strawberry Jell-O Have Red Dye? (Answered)

Many of us have enjoyed eating Jell-O for years but haven’t really thought about what is in it.

However, some people have concerns about the use of food dyes in their food. Specifically, they wonder if Strawberry Jell-O contains red dye, which is a common food coloring that is often used in processed foods.

Here you will learn the ingredients of Strawberry Jell-O and specifically if it contains synthetic or natural red dye.

Is There Red Dye in Strawberry Jell-O?

Yes, Strawberry Jell-O contains red dye.

Specifically, the ingredient list on the Jell-O website shows that the product contains Red 40. Red 40 is a commonly used synthetic food dye that is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in food products.

Here are the Jell-O products with strawberry flavoring along with their ingredients and whether each product contains red dye. As the table show, all of these Jell-O product contain Red 40.

Strawberry Jell-O Product	Red Dye (Yes or No)?	Ingredients
Jell-O Strawberry	Yes	Sugar, Gelatin, Adipic Acid, Contains Less Than 2% of Artificial Flavor, Disodium Phosphate, Sodium Citrate, Fumaric Acid, Red 40.
Jell-O Strawberry – Sugar-Free	Yes	Gelatin, Adipic Acid, Disodium Phosphate, Maltodextrin, Fumaric Acid, Aspartame (Sweetener), Contains Less Than 2% Of Artificial Flavor, Acesulfame Potassium (Sweetener), Salt, Red 40.
Jell-O Strawberry Banana	Yes	Sugar, Gelatin, Adipic Acid, Contains Less Than 2% Of Artificial Flavor, Disodium Phosphate, Sodium Citrate, Fumaric Acid, Red 40.

SEE ALSO>>>Does Orange Jell-O Have Red Dye? (Answered)

Dye-Free Strawberry Jell-O Alternative

If you wish to not consume red dye, Bakol Jel Dessert is an alternative that you can consider. It has no artificial colors, flavors, preservatives, gelatin, allergens, or lactose. In fact, this dessert is 100% vegan and all-natural according to the manufacturer.

It’s made similar to traditional Jell-O by adding boiling water to the mix, stirring it, and then chilling it until it sets.

Bakol Jel Strawberry ingredients include evaporated cane juice, carrageenan, vegetable gum, citric acid, potassium citrate, natural flavor, beet powder.

If you buy this product through Amazon, we will earn a small commission. It is also available at some grocery stores but it is not as widely available as the Jell-O brand.

Red 40 is a commonly used food dye that is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in food products. The safety of Red 40 has been extensively studied, and the FDA has deemed it safe for consumption in small amounts.

However, some studies have suggested that Red 40 may have some potential negative effects. For example, studies have linked the consumption of Red 40 to increased hyperactivity in some children who have ADHD, although the evidence for this is not conclusive.

Additionally, some studies have suggested that Red 40 may bring on allergies and migraines in some people. According to Healthline, while allergic reactions have been reported by people of all ages from synthetic and natural food colors, the symptoms are often mild and isolated to the skin such as hives.

Furthermore, Red 40 contains benzene which research discovered caused animal tumor growth in large doses. However, according to the Cleveland Clinic, some studies indicate that the small amount of benzene consumed by humans doesn’t present a high risk. Certainly, additional research needs to be completed for more conclusive evidence on a potential link between Red 40 and cancer.

If you have concerns about consuming Red 40 or any other food dye, it is always a good idea to talk to your doctor or a registered dietitian. They can help you determine whether or not you should limit your intake of Red 40 or avoid it altogether.

Sources:
myfoodandfamily.com/brands/kraft-jello
Van De Walle, G. (2020, April 29). Red Dye 40: Safety, side effects, and food list. Healthline. Retrieved April 22, 2023, from https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/red-dye-40#:~:text=Some%20Dyes%20May%20Contain%20Cancer%2DCausing%20Contaminants&text=Red%2040%2C%20Yellow%205%20and,30%20%2C%2031%20%2C%2032%20).
Cleveland Clinic. (2023, April 6). Is Red Dye 40 safe? Cleveland Clinic. Retrieved April 22, 2023, from https://health.clevelandclinic.org/red-dye-40/#:~:text=Red%20dye%2040%20contains%20benzene,t%20pose%20a%20high%20risk.%E2%80%9D
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