One of the most popular treats given out to people of all ages is candy.  If you have a sweet tooth or you want a quick sugar fix everyone has their favorite treat they reach for.

But are there candies that are more unhealthy than the rest of the sweets on the shelf?  There is one ingredient in different candies considered to be the most unsafe and some people are working to eliminate it from all foods permanently.

The Center for Science in the Public Interest is petitioning the Food and Drug Administration to eliminate a dangerous artificial color ingredient from all foods.

Usually labeled as Red Dye 3, this ingredient has been used in foods since 1907 but was banned from Cosmetics 30 years ago.  Studies have shown that high doses of this artificial color ingredient caused cancer in animals and various amounts of Red Dye 3 have caused "Inattentiveness, Hyperactivity, and Restlessness" in children.

Different Candies sold in New Jersey contains Red Dye 3
Photo by Vinicius "amnx" Amano on Unsplash
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The Environmental Working Group research shows that over 2,900 products contain this artificial color ingredient.  Food products that contain Red Dye 3 include Strawberry Flavors of Pediasure and Ensure along with Wise Onion Rings and Dole Cherry Mixed Fruit.

Here are the Candies that contain the controversial Red Dye 3 ingredient:

*Multiple Flavors of Fruit by the Foot
Those deep colors of Red and Purple are thanks to the addition of Red Dye 3. That artificial color ingredient can be found in many of their candies.

Certain flavors of Ring Pop sold in new Jersey contains Red Dye 3
Photo by Juliana Barquero on Unsplash
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*Ring Pops
Flavors such as Strawberry, Cherry, and Berry Blast all contain variations of Red Dye 3. The flavors Watermelon and Blue Raspberry do not contain the controversial artificial color ingredient.

PEZ dispensers
(Photo by William Thomas Cain/Getty Images)
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*Pez Candy
This popular candy Peanut-Free choice for many people, Pez candies are also a fun candy because of the dispenser.  But if you want to avoid any Red Dye 3, steer clear of Pez Flavors such as Strawberry, Raspberry, Orange, and Grape.

Candy Corn sold in New Jersey contain ingredient that may cause cancer
Photo by Mary Jane Duford on Unsplash
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*Candy Corn
Sorry to disappoint all of you who love this Halloween Holiday and Fall seasonal favorite, but Brach's and some other producers of Candy Corn use variations of Red Dye in their holiday candy.  Double-check the ingredients when you buy some this holiday season.

SweetGourmet via Amazon.com
SweetGourmet via Amazon.com
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*Strawberry Dubble Bubble Original 1928 Flavor
Remember when we said that versions of Red Dye 3 have been used in foods since 1907?  Well, it shouldn't be a surprise that a Bubble Gum that is based on the "Original" Flavor from almost 100 years ago would contain this artificial color ingredient.

Trolli Sour Candy is sold in New Jersey
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*Trolli Sour Candies
Most of these Sour Candies come in assorted flavor bags, so it is hard to buy the Sour Candies without the controversial artificial color ingredient. Unless you can find a bag of Trolli Sour Candy that explicitly says it does not have Red Dyes on the ingredients list, your best bet is to steer clear if you want to avoid that ingredient.

Consumer Groups, Scientists Call On Peeps Candies To Stop Use Of Red Dye 3
(Photo Illustration by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
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*Peeps
For those who enjoy these Easter holidays and Spring Seasonal Candies, you should know specific types of Peeps contain Red Dyes.  Those Pink and Purple Peeps have the artificial Red Dye color ingredient along with certain others that are not the original Yellow ones.

Jelly Beans sold in New Jersey contain a controversial ingredient
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*Brach's and Wegman's Assorted Jelly Beans
Yes, both the name brand and store brand are guilty of putting this controversial artificial color ingredient into their candies.  Most of the time Jelly Beans come in assorted packs so it would be tedious to pick out the ones that contain Red Dye.

If you are looking for some candy with better ingredients, why not support local, small businesses in New Jersey and visit these popular Candy Shops:

Top 17 Candy Shops at the Jersey Shore

If you have to satisfy your sweet tooth, there are a bunch of candy shops up and down the Jersey Shore, many dating back over a century.

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