Regardless of the seasonal holidays you celebrate, one winter symbol is ubiquitous across the United States: the snowman. So it’s no surprise you can find snowman-themed products, from plush toys to books and movies, in stores from November to March.
Confectionery companies have also taken advantage of the popularity of this universal icon and created lots of snowman-themed items – including Peeps, the marshmallow confection.
What might surprise you is that your snowman-shaped confections could contain harmful food colorants and dyes.
Titanium dioxide
One harmful additive found in many of these snowman treats is titanium dioxide.
Products like Hilco Sweets strawberry snowman swirls pops and Frosty the Snowman frosted sugar cookies use it to create their traditional white coloring and enhance their other bright hues.
But due to its potential toxicity, European food safety regulators have labeled titanium dioxide no longer safe for human consumption.
Animal studies show exposure to titanium dioxide is linked to immunotoxicity, inflammation and neurotoxicity.
A European Union ban of titanium dioxide in food took effect in 2022, but it is still legal for use in food in the U.S.
Artificial food dyes
Another group of food chemicals to avoid are synthetic food dyes, which are used to give festive candies and other treats their colorful appearance.
Dyes like Red Dye No. 40, Yellow Dye No. 5 and Blue Dye No. 1, can all be found in Peeps marshmallow snowmen and Wondershop Santa Claus & snowman sugar figurines and have been linked to an array of health harms. They can make children vulnerable to behavioral difficulties, including decreased attention, according to a 2021 study by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment.
The California health agency also found that current federal safe intake levels of these dyes might not protect children’s brain health. Current legal levels were set by the Food and Drug Administration decades ago and do not take recent research into account.
Human studies have also linked synthetics dyes to learning difficulties and restlessness in sensitive children. In the EU, products containing Red Dye No. 40 and Yellow Dye No. 5 must contain the warning “May have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children.”
Some children may be especially sensitive to artificial dyes and show behavioral difficulties, such as reduced attentiveness, after exposures as low as 1 milligram. And just one serving of many brightly colored candies or cookies can contain more than this amount.
How can I avoid these harmful ingredients?
For those wishing to limit or avoid exposure to titanium dioxide and synthetic food dyes, here are some steps to take:
- Check food product labels and avoid those with titanium dioxide and synthetic food dyes. Food companies must list these on packaged food ingredient labels. In some instances, titanium dioxide may simply be listed as “artificial color” or “color added.”
- Consult EWG’s Food Scores database to find products without titanium dioxide or harmful food dyes. When you’re on the go, use our Healthy Living app to find products without toxic chemicals.
- Choose packaged foods that are certified organic, whenever possible. These products must meet strong standards that protect consumers from exposure to potentially harmful artificial additives.
- Try to avoid ultra-processed foods. Many contain concerning ingredients, including other synthetic colorants and dyes.
