Are Artificial/Synthetic Dyes Causing My Child’s Meltdowns?

Artificial dyes are manmade dyes used in our foods to create bright, exciting colors (M&Ms, Skittles, Fruit Loops, sprinkles, etc.). But more and more information is arising about the effects artificial dyes are having on our children’s emotions and behavior. Your friends, neighbors, and other parents are mentioning this and you’re starting to wonder: Is it impacting my child? Do I need to do something?

Not every child experiences side effects of artificial dyes. Children have meltdowns. They are learning to regulate their emotions and that takes time and practice! However, some children are especially sensitive to artificial dyes, and if you have ever wondered if your child’s meltdowns are normal for their age, maybe there is something else going on.

If you have ever thought your child is consistently inconsistent, has difficulty concentrating or sustaining attention, is impulsive, hyperactive, irritable, moody, has behavioral problems, emotional dysregulation, anxiety, has made suicidal statements, or has mentioned their brain buzzing- please keep reading.

Seeking professional help from a behavioral specialist or mental health therapist is often a go-to when your child is showing symptoms like the ones listed above. And maybe your child was even diagnosed with ADHD, ODD, Conduct Disorder, or BiPolar Disorder. The effects of artificial dyes can mimic those diagnoses.

As a mental health therapist specializing in helping children and parents with emotional dysregulation and behavioral issues, I have sat with families during some of the saddest, most concerning moments. Parents reporting their 5, 6, and 7 year old children are making suicidal statements because they feel so helpless and stuck in their extreme emotional distress. Parents of 7 year olds wondering if they should start an ADHD medication because their child is falling behind in reading and writing because they can’t stay focused in their regular classroom. Kindergarteners who are struggling to make friends because their brain is buzzing and they’re so anxious at school. Parents of 4K littles getting daily or weekly calls about physical aggression.

But how do you know if your child is sensitive to artificial dyes? Remove them for 2 weeks and just see if you notice a difference in their emotions and behavior. Are you able to talk them through their emotions easier? Are they more calm? Smiling more? Some parents report a noticeable, significant difference after just 48 dye-free hours. You’ve got nothing to lose, and everything to gain.

How do I start the 2 week experiment or with removing them all together? Look through your pantry and read the labels. Look for Red 3, Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Green 3, Blue 1, Blue 2, Citrus Red 2, and Orange B. If you’re starting with a 2-week experiment, put an “X” on those labels so it’ll be easier to know what you can and cannot give them for the next 2 weeks. Be sure to check condiments, their toothpaste, vitamins, and medications. If you’re ready to remove artificial dyes, either toss out all items with artificial dyes, or as snacks run out, replace them with dye-free options. Take a peek at the FaceBook page Dye Free Family: swaps, recipes, and resources before your next grocery run to get some ideas for dye-free swaps. If you’re doing the 2-week experiment, be sure to let extended family members and their teacher know that they cannot have any artificial dyes. If your child eats breakfast or lunch provided by their school, reach out to administration to ask if their foods are dye-free. Unfortunately, many are not, so you may want to have an alternative plan for those 2 weeks.

If your curiosity has been piqued, I encourage you to check out these additional resources:

A FaceBook page about the January 2025 documentary: To Dye For: The Documentary

An 18-minute Ted Talk by Dr. Rebecca Bevans: The Effects of Artificial Dyes

The 1.5 hour documentary on Amazon Prime: To Dye For: The Documentary

And lastly, tell your story. Tell your family members about the incredibly easy-going, happy child you have since you’ve eliminated artificial dyes! Tell your neighbor, their teacher, other parents- anyone who will listen! This dye-free change is not just for the crunchy, yoga-going moms. This is a country-wide problem that has already caused an increase in mental health diagnoses and childhood prescriptions, and instead we can make a monumental change in our homes today.