Hydrating on the synthetic rainbow: Prevalence of synthetic food dyes in hydration drinks

Synthetic food dyes (SFDs) have been associated with neurobehavioral symptoms in children, including hyperactivity, inattention, anxiety, and irritability. Although often associated with candy and snack foods, SFDs are also present in hydration beverages commonly consumed by children during illness and physical exertion. This study examined the prevalence of SFDs in hydration drinks by target age group and product type. Ingredient information was collected for 102 hydration beverages from a single retail in Carson City, Nevada in 2024. Products were categorized as pediatric-marketed, adult-marketed, or marketed to all ages. Of 24 pediatric-marketed drinks, 21 (87.5%) contained at least one synthetic dye, most commonly Red 40 (66.7%), Blue 1 (61.9%), and Yellow 6 (19.0%). Among six adult-marketed drinks, two (33.5%) contained dyes, primarily Blue 1 and Red 40. Of 72 all-age products, 20 (27.7%) contained synthetic dyes. Overall, 43 of 102 drinks (42.2%) contained at least one SFD, with Blue 1 (51.2%), Red 40 (44.2%), and Yellow 6 (23.3%) being most prevalent. Hydration beverages are often perceived as health-supportive and are frequently consumed during physiological stress. Given prior evidence linking SFDs to behavioral effects, the high prevalence of dyes in pediatric hydration products warrants clinical awareness.