Red Dye Allergy

Baking By lawyercake Updated 21 Apr 2013 , 5:13pm by MarciaD

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lawyercake Posted 23 Mar 2013 , 10:23pm
post #1 of 10

Does anyone have any experience with vegetable-based or "natural" food colorings?  My niece is allergic to red dye and, of course, my daughter wants a pink princess cake for her birthday.  I am trying to find something that will make white icing pink and still be ok for my niece to eat.  (I guess I could use strawberries or something like that, but was hoping to find something similar to food coloring.)

 

Thanks in advance!

9 replies
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-K8memphis Posted 23 Mar 2013 , 10:36pm
post #2 of 10

my son was allergic to red dye

 

and the items in the world that were already red were high in salicylates--geez i haven't said that word in years--and he was allergic to many of those as well including strawberries

 

what about keeping her piece white? a two toned princess cake??

 

my mom-in-law always had a pear tart for him when we all had apple or strawberry pie--she was a sweetie that way

 

it's not easy though and there are other special food dyes now--pricey is what i've heard --i've never used them myself

 

http://www.naturalcandystore.com/product/red-natural-food-color-berry-red-pink/pink-candy#ingredients

 

half an ounce is over five bucks

 

i mean barbeque potato chips has red dye in there--lots of stuff has red in it

 

i'm glad we survived all that ;)

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cakefat Posted 24 Mar 2013 , 1:15am
post #3 of 10

cochineal colour is a natural coloring, is a very nice red and is in many many other things that you take from pills to food..it is made from bugs though but really that is only a mental squeamish thing as you've probably had it before in something and didn't know it.

 

Anyway, that is what I would look for..as it's a safe alternative to the red 40 dye. In my area, this is what we have in all the local stores..grocery to baking as red 40 dye is usually not available.

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jason_kraft Posted 24 Mar 2013 , 2:55am
post #4 of 10

AIf beets are OK, beet juice can work as red food coloring: http://www.ehow.com/how_2323480_make-food-coloring-from-beets.html

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MarciaD Posted 24 Mar 2013 , 5:36am
post #5 of 10

What a great aunt you are! If your niece is sensitive to red dyes, then she's also sensitive to the other artificial dyes, flavorings, etc. so I hope you want use a box cake. For a pink dye not made from food, look for Chocolate Craft Colors and India Tree. Both are available at Whole Foods.

 

Marcia

www.feingold.org

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MsGF Posted 24 Mar 2013 , 1:23pm
post #6 of 10

I've made pink icing by using seedless strawberry or raspberry jams.  Natural ones.  Makes a nice pink.   Makes a nice flavour too.  As Jason said beets work too.

 

Great of you to accommodate your niece.

 

Also  India Tree makes natural colours.

 

 Here is a Link:   http://www.indiatree.com/Subcategory_Page.php?0&Category=NC&Subcategory=NC_Decorating_Colors

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-K8memphis Posted 25 Mar 2013 , 4:43pm
post #7 of 10
Quote:
Originally Posted by MarciaD 

What a great aunt you are! If your niece is sensitive to red dyes, then she's also sensitive to the other artificial dyes, flavorings, etc. so I hope you want use a box cake. For a pink dye not made from food, look for Chocolate Craft Colors and India Tree. Both are available at Whole Foods.

 

Marcia

www.feingold.org

 

marcia--i had my son on the feingold diet before it was this together though like 25 years ago--it worked for us!!!

 

amazing and wonderful results we had...

 

he went on to be come a chef among other things ;)

 

i love the website--great great stuff

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Annabakescakes Posted 21 Apr 2013 , 12:56am
post #8 of 10

So, are other red dyes bad too? Or is it just red dye 40? Is it pink, orange or purple too? I need to do a Derby cake for a birthday with a red dye allergic person, and here in KY we have the derby, and there are always red roses. I can't seem to find much info, other than than the "about" and "wiki how" and "how" and I don't trust them!

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jason_kraft Posted 21 Apr 2013 , 1:56am
post #9 of 10

A

Original message sent by Annabakescakes

So, are other red dyes bad too? Or is it just red dye 40? Is it pink, orange or purple too? I need to do a Derby cake for a birthday with a red dye allergic person, and here in KY we have the derby, and there are always red roses. I can't seem to find much info, other than than the "about" and "wiki how" and "how" and I don't trust them!

It depends on what the person is actually allergic to, you need to find out what the specific allergy is. If they aren't sure you should assume all food dyes are off limits.

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MarciaD Posted 21 Apr 2013 , 5:13pm
post #10 of 10

Red 3 is also made from petroleum. And the other colors you mention are combinations of these dyes. If a person is sensitive to the red, he would also be to the other azo dyes because they all come from petroleum. Does the cake have to have red frosting? Can you use real roses, etc.?

 

Can you find out more about the person's needs? Other ingredients could also have petroleum derived additives i.e. vanillin and other artificial flavorings, preservatives, etc.

 

I would contact the Feingold Association. It is the support group for those with chemical sensitivities. www.feingold.org or [email protected]

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