Vibrant Water Flavoring Without Red 40

Red Dye 40 is used more than any other food dye – it’s found in baked goods, beverages, and water flavorings. Ironically, Red Dye 40 is also one of the most worrisome, making water flavorings without Red 40 clearly the preferred option.

Water flavoring without Red 40 coloring usually contains fruit or vegetables to add a vibrant red color to drinks. Pomegranate and beet are two of the most common natural color enhancers.

In this article you’ll learn all about the risks linked to Red Dye 40, and we’ve included a list of water flavorings without Red Dye 40 to make it a little easier the next time you go shopping.

What Exactly Is Red Dye 40?

Red Dye 40 is a food additive and, more specifically, a type of artificial food coloring.

The coloring namely provides and enhances the red color of foods, drinks, medications, and other manufactured products. It’s also commonly identified and known as Red 40 and FD&C Red No. 40.

Currently, there are nine certified color additives approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Red Dye 40 is one of them, even though many health experts warn about the safety of the food coloring despite its approval and eye appeal.

Side effects of red dye 40 

Red Dye 40 comes with a slew of side effect warnings, including hypersensitivity reactions. According to the Center for Science in the Public Interest, Red 40 may also accelerate immune-system tumors (in mice) and trigger hyperactivity in children.

An additional 2019 review suggests consuming artificial dyes causes genotoxic, or gene, damage. The dye also shows carcinogenic, or cancer-causing, effects.

More importantly, we know Red 40 contains benzidine, a human carcinogen that carries a cancer risk of 1 in every 1 million people. Bladder cancer is particularly associated with benzidine exposure.

How to find Red 40 in water enhancers

Use these tips to help you determine if Red 40 has been added to your favorite flavored water or water enhancer:

• A telling sign is if the product is red in color, especially if it’s more vibrant than what might be considered “natural.” In particular, pay attention to cereals, beverages, gelatins, dairy products, puddings, and confectionary/candy products, as Red 40 is approved for use in them by the FDA. Other dyes might also be added, such as yellow and blue, which may produce an orange or purple color as well. 

• The FDA requires food manufacturers to list all ingredients on the label. So, the best way to tell if Red 40 has been added is by reading the Ingredients label on the product. The red dye can also appear under these names:
  • Red 40
  • Red 40 Lake
  • Allura Red AC
  • CI Food Red 17
  • INS No.129
  • E129
  • FD&C Red No. 40
  • FD&C Red No. 40 Aluminum Lake

• Double-check the brand’s various product options, as some brands might offer both artificial and all-natural products. Differing flavor options can also include different ingredients, including artificial coloring. If possible choose the naturally colored flavoring, as this will exclude Red 40.

• If still unsure if the product contains Red Dye 40, reach out and ask the product’s customer service team.

And remember, if you are still unsure if Red 40 has been added, and you wish to avoid it, simply do without that product and opt for a plain glass of water. Or, give one of these brands of water flavoring without Red 40 a try!

Water Flavoring Without Red 40

If you want to avoid Red 40 while still enjoying on a pop of flavor, try out these water flavorings without Red 40. Each is listed on Amazon for simple shopping and delivery!

1. Stur Liquid Water Enhancer (Various Flavors)

Naturally colored with fruit and vegetable juices, rest easy knowing Stur liquid water enhancers do not contain Red 40.

Stur also lots of different flavor options, including lemonade and strawberry watermelon, all of which are naturally flavored and sweetened with natural fruit flavors and Stevia extracts. 

Not a food dye to be seen!

Pros:

• All flavor options are naturally colored and flavored
• Several flavors to choose from, including fruit punch, blue and blackberry, pomegranate cranberry, and coconut pineapple
• Conveniently makes 100, 8-oz flavored water drinks
• Can be used in smoothies and yogurt 

Cons:

• Some complaints of weak flavor and unpleasant aftertaste 

2. Hydrate Electrolyte Liquid Drink Enhancer Drops (Limeade & Mixed Berry)

Hydrate electrolyte liquid drink enhancer drops offer sweet mixed berry and limeade flavors without any artificial food coloring, including Red Dye 40.

The drops also supply fast-dissolving B vitamins and electrolytes for on-the-go hydration.

Pros:

• Doesn’t contain any artificial food colorings
• Supplies and replenishes essential electrolytes
• Dissolves quickly, especially compared to other powder drink mixes 
• Compact size for on-the-go use

Cons: 

• Weak taste according to some consumers

3. True Citrus Water Flavor Packets (Flavor Options)

With ingredients like beet powder and spirulina, True Citrus is devoid of Red 40 and produced from all-natural ingredients, including beet powder and spirulina. “Get real flavor from real fruit” in various natural citrus flavors such as original limeade and strawberry lemonade.

Pros:

• Free of Red Dye 40
• Produced with natural ingredients
• Various citrus flavors to choose from, including watermelon limeade, mango orangeade, and black cherry limeade
• All citrus flavors are free of potassium

Cons:

• Packets might not be as convenient as squeezable bottles
• While minimal, True Citrus contains 10 calories per packet

4. SweetLeaf WaterDrops (Various Flavors)

SweetLeaf’s WaterDrops are free of Red 40 and other artificial ingredients. Each fruity flavor option is also free of calories and carbs. 

Pros:

• No Red 40 or other artificial ingredients added
• Various flavors to choose from, including  lemon-lime, strawberry watermelon, mixed berry, and tropical punch
• 48 servings per bottle
• Devoid of calories, carbs, GMOs, and gluten
• BPA-free squeeze bottle

Cons:

• Reports of some flavors are too sweet and lack the intended flavor

5. H2wOw Water Enhancer Drops (Variety of Flavors)

Flavored and colored with fruit extracts, rest assured the H2wOw water enhancer drops are free of Red 40 and other artificial ingredients. 

H2wOw offers various unique flavor combinations, including lime ginger, cucumber lemongrass, lemon spearmint, and watermelon honeydew. 

Pros:

• Free of Red 40 and all artificial food-dyes
• Uses 100% all-natural ingredients 
• Various unique flavor options 
• Added mineral electrolytes to optimize hydration

Cons:

• Does contain calories and a touch of sugar from agave, though minimal

6. Propel Powder Packets (Various Flavors)

Propel powder water packets are devoid of Red 40 and other artificial food colorings. Each packet might not contain calories, though they are packed with beneficial electrolytes and other nutrients. 

Pros:

• Does not contain Red Dye 40 or other artificial colorings
• Free of calories and carbs
• Contains electrolytes, B vitamins, and vitamins C and E
• Various flavors to choose from, including lemon blackberry, black cherry, grape, kiwi strawberry, watermelon, and raspberry lemonade

Cons:

• Nutrition Facts label shows 0g of sugar but sugar is listed as an ingredient, which may be confusing to consumers

7. Clear Theory Water Flavoring Drops (Flavor Options)

Clear Theory water flavoring drops offer 100% transparent hydration, meaning no artificial color and no artificial ingredients. Electrolytes and zinc are also added for the ultimate hydration on the go. 

Pros:

• Free of artificial coloring and ingredients, as well as caffeine, gluten, and GMOs
• Vegan and kosher-friendly
• Four flavor options, including watermelon berry, orange vanilla, blue raspberry, and fruit punch

Cons:

• Supplies 160 calories per bottle (20 calories per serving)

8. Gatorade G Zero Water Packets (Glacier Cherry Only)

Gatorade G Zero Glacier Cherry Varieties are free of Red 40, as well as added sugar. You can gain the electrolyte and hydrating benefits of traditional Gatorade sports drinks for a mere five calories per packet. 

But be careful when choosing the flavor as many of the other varieties contain food dyes, including Blue 1 and Yellow 6.

Pros:

• No added sugars and only 5 calories per packet
• Offers beneficial electrolytes, including sodium and potassium

Cons:

• Fruit punch flavor does contain Red 40, so be cautious of selecting
• Most flavors do contain artificial food colorings, including yellow 6 and blue 1

9. SPLENDA Liquid Water Enhancer Drops (Mandarin Orange)

The mandarin orange SPLENDA water drops are free of Red 40, as well as added sugar, carbs, and calories. SPLENDA water drops are also naturally-flavored and use Splenda’s own version of sucralose to sweeten it.

It does contain food dye yellow-6, so if you are looking for water flavorings that don’t have any tartificial food dyes then steer clear of this one.

Pros:

• Leak-proof flip-top cap for easy use and portability 
• 1 bottle provides 30 servings 

Cons:

• Does contain yellow 6
• Other SPLENDA enhancers contain Red 40, including strawberry watermelon and sweet tea, so select others with caution

How long does it take to get Red Dye 40 out of your system?

There is no firm answer to explain how long Red Dye 40 takes to leave our body’s system. However, the Center for Science in the Public Interest does offer insight into the excretion process, although not in a human study. 

In the study, rats and dogs were pretreated daily with unlabeled (no brand) Red 40 followed by 35S-Red 40 for up to 72 hours. Within 72 hours, 92-95% and 76-92% of the radioactivity was recovered in the feces of dogs and rats, respectively. There was also significant retention of radioactivity in the digestive system. 

This means most of it had left their body’s by 72 hours, but some still remained.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Flavored Water Have Red 40?

Some flavored water does have Red 40. However, with the push for more natural products by consumers, not all flavored water contains Red Dye 40. 

Does Vitamin Water have Red Dye 40? 

Per the Ingredient labels listed on their website, Vitaminwater does not contain Red Dye 40. Instead, “fruit and vegetable juices (for color)” is listed, including on the vibrantly colored acai-blueberry-pomegranate flavor.

Do MiO Water Enhancers have Red 40?

The majority of MiO water enhancers do contain red 40. In addition to red 40, many flavors of MiO water enhancer also contain artificial food dyes including yellow 5, yellow 6 and blue 1. The use of such food dyes are one reason why some question whether MiO is good or bad for you.