Artificial colourings
additive · base score -1 · also listed as artificial colourings, colourings, colorant, colorant:, coloring, colours, colorants, colourants
What is it?
Artificial colourings is an additive, such as a preservative, flavouring or colouring. Graded poor: cheap, vague or of questionable value, so it drags a product’s score down.
At a glance
- Category
- additive
- Grade
- poor
- Base score
- -1 (from −1 to 1; higher is better)
- Found in
- 9 products
- Also listed as
- artificial colourings, colourings, colorant, colorant:, coloring, colours, colorants, colourants
Common questions about artificial colourings
Is Artificial colourings good for dogs?
We grade it as a poor ingredient: typically cheap, vague or of questionable nutritional value, so it drags a product’s score down. One poor ingredient does not make a food bad on its own, but a recipe built from several usually scores low.
How many UK dog foods contain artificial colourings?
9 UK products list artificial colourings as an ingredient in our database. The full list is shown below, sorted by rating.
What else is artificial colourings called on labels?
Manufacturers list it under several names: artificial colourings, colourings, colorant, colorant:, coloring, colours, colorants, colourants. We match all of these to the same glossary entry when we read a label.
How does Open Dog Food grade artificial colourings?
We grade it poor, our lowest grade, used for cheap, vague or low-value ingredients. Every ingredient is converted to its dry-matter share and scored from our glossary before a recipe gets its 1-100 rating; the full method is on our methodology page.
Why are artificial colourings added to dog food?
Artificial colourings are used to make the product look more appealing to owners, since dogs do not choose food based on colour. They add no nutritional value to the diet. Some dogs may be sensitive to certain colourings, so speak to your vet if you notice any adverse reactions.
Are artificial colourings safe for dogs?
Artificial colourings permitted in UK and EU pet foods must meet regulatory safety standards. They are not essential for nutrition and some owners prefer to avoid them. If your dog has a history of food sensitivities, speak to your vet about whether a diet without artificial colourings is appropriate.
