Toxicol Rep December 2023 PMID 37719200

The synthetic food dye, Red 40, causes DNA damage, causes colonic inflammation, and impacts the microbiome in mice.

Qi Zhang, Alexander A Chumanevich, Ivy Nguyen, Anastasiya A Chumanevich, Nora Sartawi, Jake Hogan, Minou Khazan, Quinn Harris, Bryson Massey, Ioulia Chatzistamou, Phillip J Buckhaults, Carolyn E Banister, Michael Wirth, James R Hebert, E Angela Murphy

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Mentions

97
Peak: 26 in Nov 2024
across 4 sources since Sep 2023

Extended reach

473,211
potential audience

Total likes

527

Video views

14,739

Mentions per month

Sep 2023 – Sep 2025

Where it's discussed

  • X / Twitter64 posts
  • News23 articles
  • YouTube7 videos
  • Blogs3 articles

AI synopsis

What people are saying

Many discussions focus on the alarming implications of Red 40, with posts stating that synthetic dyes can damage DNA and potentially increase cancer risks. Phrases like 'that's a bad thing' and references to other synthetic ingredients further emphasize a tone of concern, reflecting a strong apprehension about the effects of such additives on health.

AgreementModerate agreement

The majority of posts reflect a general concern about the findings related to Red 40, indicating a moderate level of agreement with the study's conclusions.

InterestHigh interest

There is high interest evident from the number of individuals discussing the implications of the study, showcasing its relevance.

EngagementModerate engagement

While many posts simply reiterate the study's findings, a few users dive deeper into potential health implications, displaying a moderate level of engagement.

ImpactHigh impact

Users perceive the findings to have significant implications, especially regarding health concerns related to food dyes, reflecting a belief in the importance of the subject matter.

Abstract in brief

  • The synthetic food dye Red 40 is linked to DNA damage, colonic inflammation, and alterations in the microbiome in mice.
  • The rise of early-onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC) among young people aligns with increased consumption of ultraprocessed foods containing Red 40 over the past four decades.
  • The study found that long-term exposure to Red 40, especially in a high-fat diet, led to dysbiosis and inflammation, suggesting it may contribute to the development of EOCRC.

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Mike Lustgarten, PhD
@mike_lustgarten · X

@BradCohn The synthetic food dye, Red 40, causes DNA damage, causes colonic inflammation, and impacts the microbiome in mice https://t.co/Cl59QmP9Uo

Nov 17, 2024 · 71 likes · 24 shares · 9,723 followers View post →
deepseekmoment
@deepseekmoment · X

@LBobbeh @xXHadesUndeadXx @GPrime85 no, i don't. after using Google for 5 seconds i found it causes dna damage among other things in mice. https://t.co/hKsf5PIUL4

Feb 14, 2025 · 9 likes · 15 followers View post →
JOSÉ PEREA GARCÍA
@josepereag · X

Preliminary approaches exploring the role of synthetic food colors as one cause of #CRC preliminary phases and dysbiosis in mice. Maybe involved in #EOCRC rising incidence? https://t.co/VAL4bm9YYe

Sep 19, 2023 · 5 likes · 2 shares · 1,242 followers View post →
Mrs Denosko
@Denosko1 · X

Red 40. Red 40, also known as Allura Red, is one of the most commonly used flavoring agents in the United States. However, red 40 is banned in the United Kingdom and Switzerland due to health concerns. The synthetic food dye, Red 40, causes DNA damage, causes colonic https://t.co/PXnKvgtUtU

Jan 15, 2025 · 4 likes · 60,543 followers View post →
Free the World
@PatriotVerity · X

@WallStreetMav That's a bad thing. Studies show synthetic dyes damage DNA and can increase the risk of cancer among other things. https://t.co/yicJrziMAL https://t.co/gllV5csQJ3 https://t.co/lqs1lYYk7t

Jul 8, 2025 · 4 likes · 20,558 followers View post →
Bo Cox MD
@BoCoxGastro · X

Ultra processed food and perhaps more specifically #Red40 are pro-inflammatory and likely have contributed to a rise in colorectal cancer and IBD. #gitwitter #pedsgi #colorectalcancer #Crohns @US_FDA https://t.co/7dT1GadzP4 https://t.co/O3FSQz2dxU

Dec 2, 2023 · 4 likes · 1 share · 318 followers View post →

All mentions

Health Risks of Common Food Additives and Dyes

Explore the potential health risks associated with common food additives and dyes. MSG has been linked to negative health effects in certain doses, while food dyes, including Red 40 and Yellow 5, raise significant…

Gabbi Tuft · Feb 8, 2025 1,469 views

Impact of Red 40 on Health and Nutrition

This video examines the health implications of synthetic food dyes, particularly Red 40. Just because a product has protein and colorful branding doesn't mean it's healthy. Studies show that Red 40 is linked to DNA…

Gabbi Tuft · Aug 16, 2024 771 views
Mark Stadnicki
@stadnicki17 · X

@ZacksJerryRig The synthetic food dye, Red 40, causes DNA damage, causes colonic inflammation, and impacts the microbiome in mice - PMC https://t.co/lBAei4aTzm

Sep 7, 2025 · 35 followers View post →
Annette
@anothertruseekr · X

If Red Dye 40 causes all this, imagine what all the other man made synthetic ingredients do to us each and every day. https://t.co/Qgw52S0dKl

Aug 28, 2025 · 197 followers View post →
CoinControversy
@CoinControversy · X

@notgiveroff @DixonsPlace @DrNeilStone red40 and similar are cellular toxins https://t.co/ymVY25j1E5

Jul 22, 2025 · 1 like · 982 followers View post →
Maverick V.
@unmatrixone · X

RT @PatriotVerity: That's a bad thing. Studies show synthetic dyes damage DNA and can increase the risk of cancer among other things. http…

Jul 9, 2025 · 2 shares · 387 followers View post →
Marik_cannaluv
@Marik_Cannaluv · X

RT @PatriotVerity: That's a bad thing. Studies show synthetic dyes damage DNA and can increase the risk of cancer among other things. http…

Jul 8, 2025 · 2 shares · 645 followers View post →
Free the World
@PatriotVerity · X

That's a bad thing. Studies show synthetic dyes damage DNA and can increase the risk of cancer among other things. https://t.co/WBMIS3Xtkd https://t.co/9dbz5fvuR8 https://t.co/fZJeEHngo2 https://t.co/ku0ohDoj0O

Jul 8, 2025 · 2 likes · 2 shares · 20,558 followers View post →
Free the World
@PatriotVerity · X

@WallStreetMav That's a bad thing. Studies show synthetic dyes damage DNA and can increase the risk of cancer among other things. https://t.co/yicJrziMAL https://t.co/gllV5csQJ3 https://t.co/lqs1lYYk7t

Jul 8, 2025 · 4 likes · 20,558 followers View post →
safe and effective lol (me/me/me)
@safeeffect45923 · X

@JP_Polnareff69 @uncledoomer Muh science The synthetic food dye, Red 40, causes DNA damage, causes colonic inflammation, and impacts the microbiome in mice https://t.co/2K8lqSEGOa

Apr 24, 2025 · 73 followers View post →
safe and effective lol (me/me/me)
@safeeffect45923 · X

@june_2000_ @SayHelloMarcus @uncledoomer Muh science The synthetic food dye, Red 40, causes DNA damage, causes colonic inflammation, and impacts the microbiome in mice https://t.co/2K8lqSEGOa

Apr 24, 2025 · 73 followers View post →
safe and effective lol (me/me/me)
@safeeffect45923 · X

@tortletech @MTMaverick123 @SayHelloMarcus @uncledoomer Muh science The synthetic food dye, Red 40, causes DNA damage, causes colonic inflammation, and impacts the microbiome in mice https://t.co/2K8lqSEGOa

Apr 24, 2025 · 73 followers View post →
safe and effective lol (me/me/me)
@safeeffect45923 · X

@Xaberius9 @MTMaverick123 @SayHelloMarcus @uncledoomer Muh science The synthetic food dye, Red 40, causes DNA damage, causes colonic inflammation, and impacts the microbiome in mice https://t.co/2K8lqSEGOa

Apr 24, 2025 · 73 followers View post →
safe and effective lol (me/me/me)
@safeeffect45923 · X

@nukedbyelon @RebeccaTucker85 @SayHelloMarcus @uncledoomer Muh science The synthetic food dye, Red 40, causes DNA damage, causes colonic inflammation, and impacts the microbiome in mice https://t.co/2K8lqSEGOa

Apr 24, 2025 · 73 followers View post →
safe and effective lol (me/me/me)
@safeeffect45923 · X

@prophetyellow @RebeccaTucker85 @SayHelloMarcus @uncledoomer Muh science The synthetic food dye, Red 40, causes DNA damage, causes colonic inflammation, and impacts the microbiome in mice https://t.co/2K8lqSEGOa

Apr 24, 2025 · 73 followers View post →
safe and effective lol (me/me/me)
@safeeffect45923 · X

@tortletech @RebeccaTucker85 @SayHelloMarcus @uncledoomer Muh science The synthetic food dye, Red 40, causes DNA damage, causes colonic inflammation, and impacts the microbiome in mice https://t.co/2K8lqSEGOa

Apr 24, 2025 · 73 followers View post →
safe and effective lol (me/me/me)
@safeeffect45923 · X

@SayHelloMarcus @uncledoomer Muh science The synthetic food dye, Red 40, causes DNA damage, causes colonic inflammation, and impacts the microbiome in mice https://t.co/2K8lqSEGOa

Apr 24, 2025 · 73 followers View post →
James Ellis
@JamesEllisII · X

@Shane00 Thoughts? https://t.co/xcAmthY3C0 https://t.co/ETCo5tRQbq https://t.co/0f1yvYNTuQ

Apr 23, 2025 · 1 like · 134 followers View post →
Karen Bearss
@KarenBearss · X

RT @KarenBearss: @schwabbie28 @Holden_Culotta The synthetic food dye, Red 40, causes DNA damage, causes colonic inflammation, and impacts t…

Mar 25, 2025 · 1 share · 1,447 followers View post →
Karen Bearss
@KarenBearss · X

@schwabbie28 @Holden_Culotta The synthetic food dye, Red 40, causes DNA damage, causes colonic inflammation, and impacts the microbiome in mice https://t.co/FBDrBMcLvT

Mar 25, 2025 · 1 share · 1,447 followers View post →
deepseekmoment
@deepseekmoment · X

@LBobbeh @xXHadesUndeadXx @GPrime85 no, i don't. after using Google for 5 seconds i found it causes dna damage among other things in mice. https://t.co/hKsf5PIUL4

Feb 14, 2025 · 9 likes · 15 followers View post →
Cynthia Burley
@RealCynthiaB · X

"The synthetic food dye, Red 40, causes DNA damage, causes colonic inflammation, and impacts the microbiome in mice." Article below

Feb 8, 2025 · 1 like · 451 followers View post →
Mrs Denosko
@Denosko1 · X

Red 40. Red 40, also known as Allura Red, is one of the most commonly used flavoring agents in the United States. However, red 40 is banned in the United Kingdom and Switzerland due to health concerns. The synthetic food dye, Red 40, causes DNA damage, causes colonic https://t.co/PXnKvgtUtU

Jan 15, 2025 · 4 likes · 60,543 followers View post →
John German
@JohnGer24430535 · X

@30ASeawitch Hello: "The synthetic food dye, Red 40, causes DNA damage, causes colonic inflammation, and impacts the microbiome in mice" - https://t.co/sTRnj0r0VG MAGA MAHA! God Bless, John German

Jan 14, 2025 · 1,140 followers View post →
darcy darnoc
@darcydarnoc · X

The synthetic food dye, Red 40, causes DNA damage, causes colonic inflammation, and impacts the microbiome in mice - PMC - ⁦@realDonaldTrump⁩ ⁦@elonmusk⁩ ⁦@RobertKennedyJr⁩ https://t.co/J39VUNWcxH

Jan 7, 2025 · 3,143 followers View post →
Jorma J. Takala
@JormaTakala · X

The synthetic food dye, Red 40, causes DNA damage, causes colonic inflammation, and impacts the microbiome in mice - PMC https://t.co/2bOb4nBt4f

Jan 4, 2025 · 294 followers View post →
Chimica Techno Acta (CTA)
@ActaTechno · X

https://t.co/N3lN2d4U49 https://t.co/DivilZ3rlM https://t.co/L31iCNqTii https://t.co/nQQZcf4QxU https://t.co/T9U5rndqap https://t.co/0gFOzqkVRa https://t.co/EdXi8LeNhk https://t.co/fTMPUYZiSo https://t.co/gVKyZQGGRo

Dec 27, 2024 · 241 followers View post →
John Siracusa
@john_siracusa · X

RT @mike_lustgarten: @BradCohn The synthetic food dye, Red 40, causes DNA damage, causes colonic inflammation, and impacts the microbiome i…

Dec 4, 2024 · 24 shares · 19,795 followers View post →
Living Empowered®
@livingempowered · X

The synthetic food dye, Red 40, causes DNA damage, causes colonic inflammation, and impacts the microbiome in mice - PMC https://t.co/S1D2yrW4Zz

Nov 27, 2024 · 676 followers View post →
John Siracusa
@john_siracusa · X

RT @mike_lustgarten: @BradCohn The synthetic food dye, Red 40, causes DNA damage, causes colonic inflammation, and impacts the microbiome i…

Nov 26, 2024 · 24 shares · 19,795 followers View post →
Shelly Abbott
@ShellyAbbo92049 · X

RT @mike_lustgarten: @BradCohn The synthetic food dye, Red 40, causes DNA damage, causes colonic inflammation, and impacts the microbiome i…

Nov 19, 2024 · 24 shares · 18 followers View post →
Account
@Accnt0 · X

RT @mike_lustgarten: @BradCohn The synthetic food dye, Red 40, causes DNA damage, causes colonic inflammation, and impacts the microbiome i…

Nov 18, 2024 · 24 shares · 21 followers View post →
SN Upshaw
@SNUpshaw · X

RT @mike_lustgarten: @BradCohn The synthetic food dye, Red 40, causes DNA damage, causes colonic inflammation, and impacts the microbiome i…

Nov 18, 2024 · 24 shares · 2,733 followers View post →
Sean P Casey
@wtrbfflo · X

RT @mike_lustgarten: @BradCohn The synthetic food dye, Red 40, causes DNA damage, causes colonic inflammation, and impacts the microbiome i…

Nov 18, 2024 · 24 shares · 847 followers View post →
UltimApe
@ultimape · X

RT @mike_lustgarten: @BradCohn The synthetic food dye, Red 40, causes DNA damage, causes colonic inflammation, and impacts the microbiome i…

Nov 18, 2024 · 24 shares · 6,474 followers View post →
@clafrisa
@clafrisa · X

RT @mike_lustgarten: @BradCohn The synthetic food dye, Red 40, causes DNA damage, causes colonic inflammation, and impacts the microbiome i…

Nov 18, 2024 · 24 shares · 866 followers View post →
ℒisa✸ℒila☜☆☞
@TopGunReporter · X

RT @mike_lustgarten: @BradCohn The synthetic food dye, Red 40, causes DNA damage, causes colonic inflammation, and impacts the microbiome i…

Nov 18, 2024 · 24 shares · 1,889 followers View post →
Gloria Lewis
@Faith7Fairfield · X

RT @menticide15: @AnnaRMatson it only affects mice, we don't need human studies.

Nov 18, 2024 · 1 share · 922 followers View post →
menticide
@menticide15 · X

@AnnaRMatson it only affects mice, we don't need human studies.

Nov 17, 2024 · 4 likes · 1 share · 65 followers View post →
Jackie
@JackieOnana · X

RT @mike_lustgarten: @BradCohn The synthetic food dye, Red 40, causes DNA damage, causes colonic inflammation, and impacts the microbiome i…

Nov 17, 2024 · 24 shares · 168 followers View post →
CHOLIS75
@CHOLIS75 · X

RT @mike_lustgarten: @BradCohn The synthetic food dye, Red 40, causes DNA damage, causes colonic inflammation, and impacts the microbiome i…

Nov 17, 2024 · 24 shares · 232 followers View post →
JB
@JB_Smile55 · X

RT @mike_lustgarten: @BradCohn The synthetic food dye, Red 40, causes DNA damage, causes colonic inflammation, and impacts the microbiome i…

Nov 17, 2024 · 24 shares · 576 followers View post →
Sabrina Page
@SabrinaPage33 · X

RT @mike_lustgarten: @BradCohn The synthetic food dye, Red 40, causes DNA damage, causes colonic inflammation, and impacts the microbiome i…

Nov 17, 2024 · 24 shares · 756 followers View post →
MN AD MAN
@msontwo · X

RT @mike_lustgarten: @BradCohn The synthetic food dye, Red 40, causes DNA damage, causes colonic inflammation, and impacts the microbiome i…

Nov 17, 2024 · 24 shares · 711 followers View post →
Dream Night Wind
@JimSatone · X

RT @mike_lustgarten: @BradCohn The synthetic food dye, Red 40, causes DNA damage, causes colonic inflammation, and impacts the microbiome i…

Nov 17, 2024 · 24 shares · 1,892 followers View post →
Lillian
@LillianLemonade · X

RT @mike_lustgarten: @BradCohn The synthetic food dye, Red 40, causes DNA damage, causes colonic inflammation, and impacts the microbiome i…

Nov 17, 2024 · 24 shares · 175 followers View post →
Yiannis Zachariades
@yianniszacharia · X

RT @mike_lustgarten: @BradCohn The synthetic food dye, Red 40, causes DNA damage, causes colonic inflammation, and impacts the microbiome i…

Nov 17, 2024 · 24 shares · 841 followers View post →
DiamondDawg
@HiAltDawg · X

RT @mike_lustgarten: @BradCohn The synthetic food dye, Red 40, causes DNA damage, causes colonic inflammation, and impacts the microbiome i…

Nov 17, 2024 · 24 shares · 428 followers View post →
John Siracusa
@john_siracusa · X

RT @mike_lustgarten: @BradCohn The synthetic food dye, Red 40, causes DNA damage, causes colonic inflammation, and impacts the microbiome i…

Nov 17, 2024 · 24 shares · 19,795 followers View post →
Joe Somerville
@Atlanta_Dining · X

RT @mike_lustgarten: @BradCohn The synthetic food dye, Red 40, causes DNA damage, causes colonic inflammation, and impacts the microbiome i…

Nov 17, 2024 · 24 shares · 43,370 followers View post →
ResilientDad | Optimal Health By Nature
@ResilientDad · X

RT @mike_lustgarten: @BradCohn The synthetic food dye, Red 40, causes DNA damage, causes colonic inflammation, and impacts the microbiome i…

Nov 17, 2024 · 24 shares · 13,275 followers View post →
Kevin Fjelsted
@kfjelsted · X

RT @mike_lustgarten: @BradCohn The synthetic food dye, Red 40, causes DNA damage, causes colonic inflammation, and impacts the microbiome i…

Nov 17, 2024 · 24 shares · 4,499 followers View post →
Lori Shemek, PhD
@LoriShemek · X

RT @mike_lustgarten: @BradCohn The synthetic food dye, Red 40, causes DNA damage, causes colonic inflammation, and impacts the microbiome i…

Nov 17, 2024 · 24 shares · 167,356 followers View post →
Mike Lustgarten, PhD
@mike_lustgarten · X

@BradCohn The synthetic food dye, Red 40, causes DNA damage, causes colonic inflammation, and impacts the microbiome in mice https://t.co/Cl59QmP9Uo

Nov 17, 2024 · 71 likes · 24 shares · 9,723 followers View post →
io
@io_1337 · X

The synthetic food dye, Red 40, causes DNA damage, causes colonic inflammation, and impacts the microbiome in mice - PMC https://t.co/dD4TPmIADC

Oct 20, 2024 · 2,769 followers View post →
The Finn
@Praetharian · X

@StaySafeWarlock FDA says it causes cancer. Yet it’s in hundreds of candies. https://t.co/RspRg77zIx and The synthetic food dye, Red 40, causes DNA damage, causes colonic inflammation, and impacts the microbiome in mice https://t.co/g6uYV28l45

Sep 26, 2024 · 1 like · 37 followers View post →
Tawny
@maxwe36889 · X

@LarryBrockJr https://t.co/XQEPZIWWfR

Sep 24, 2024 · 13,032 followers View post →
David Marsh
@DavidAdSales1 · X

The synthetic food dye, Red 40, causes DNA damage, causes colonic inflammation, and impacts the microbiome in mice ... https://t.co/yjKRYBJpfH

Sep 1, 2024 · 1 like · 2,469 followers View post →
Kashif Mateen Ansari
@kashifmateenpk · X

The synthetic food dye, Red 40, causes DNA damage, causes colonic inflammation, and impacts the microbiome https://t.co/qjt7b0cqr4

Apr 28, 2024 · 585 followers View post →
Strong & Free
@val_burke · X

RT @BoCoxGastro: Ultra processed food and perhaps more specifically #Red40 are pro-inflammatory and likely have contributed to a rise in co…

Apr 22, 2024 · 1 share · 960 followers View post →
Elektra
@ElektraUS · X

@trades4funn @GetOnTap @MaffyewAgain23 Just to name one chemical, food dyes are questionable and demonstrate toxicity, carcinogenicity, & hypersensitivity. There are a bunch of articles on pubmed that examine the effects of food dyes on different organisms. https://t.co/oP6avg9X3K https://t.co/Jzkg4oZMOz

Jan 9, 2024 · 3 likes · 249 followers View post →
Bo Cox MD
@BoCoxGastro · X

Ultra processed food and perhaps more specifically #Red40 are pro-inflammatory and likely have contributed to a rise in colorectal cancer and IBD. #gitwitter #pedsgi #colorectalcancer #Crohns @US_FDA https://t.co/7dT1GadzP4 https://t.co/O3FSQz2dxU

Dec 2, 2023 · 4 likes · 1 share · 318 followers View post →
trainerrueben
@trainerrueben · X

The synthetic food dye, Red 40, causes DNA damage, causes colonic inflammation, and impacts the microbiome in mice https://t.co/fIEFZ5lN0f

Sep 19, 2023 · 3 likes · 950 followers View post →
A.n.n.
@fireflyann · X

RT @josepereag: Preliminary approaches exploring the role of synthetic food colors as one cause of #CRC preliminary phases and dysbiosis in…

Sep 19, 2023 · 2 shares · 1,578 followers View post →
lynch syndrome irl @lsireland.bsky.social
@Lynchsyndromirl · X

RT @josepereag: Preliminary approaches exploring the role of synthetic food colors as one cause of #CRC preliminary phases and dysbiosis in…

Sep 19, 2023 · 2 shares · 2,398 followers View post →
JOSÉ PEREA GARCÍA
@josepereag · X

Preliminary approaches exploring the role of synthetic food colors as one cause of #CRC preliminary phases and dysbiosis in mice. Maybe involved in #EOCRC rising incidence? https://t.co/VAL4bm9YYe

Sep 19, 2023 · 5 likes · 2 shares · 1,242 followers View post →