The Snack Check Blog

Evidence-based guides on food dyes, allergens, sugar, and everything hiding on the label. Written for parents who want real answers.

All Food Dyes Allergens Sugar FDA & Regulation Nutrition

FDA Bans All Synthetic Food Dyes by 2027: What Parents Need to Know

The FDA confirmed a full phase-out of all 7 synthetic petroleum-based food dyes. Here's the timeline, which products are affected, and how to protect your family starting today.

Red 40 Side Effects: What 30+ Studies Actually Say

Red 40 is in everything from yogurt to cough syrup. We reviewed three decades of research on its effects on children.

Hidden Sugar in Kids' Snacks: 40 Products That Aren't as Healthy as You Think

Granola bars, fruit pouches, yogurt tubes — many "healthy" snacks pack a full day's sugar for toddlers in a single serving.

What Are the Major Food Allergens? The FDA Big 9

The nine allergens US labels must declare, and every name each one hides behind on an ingredient list.

The 14 EU Allergens: Full List and How It Differs from the US

Five allergens the EU declares and the US does not, and why European rules also cover restaurant food.

Top 15 Food Allergens Every Parent Should Know

From the Big 9 to sesame, lupin, and mustard — a complete guide to allergens, hidden sources, and label-reading strategies.

Artificial Food Dyes: The Complete Parent's Guide

What they are, where they hide, which ones are banned in Europe, and why the US is finally catching up.

How to Read a Nutrition Label Like a Pro (in 60 Seconds)

Serving sizes, % Daily Value, ingredient order tricks — everything you need to decode any label without a chemistry degree.

30 Best Dye-Free Snacks for Kids (2026)

Parent-tested, kid-approved snacks with zero synthetic dyes. Organized by age group with store availability.

Daily Sugar Limits for Children by Age: The Complete Chart

AHA, WHO, and AAP guidelines in one place. How much sugar is too much for your 1-year-old vs. your 8-year-old?

Food Dyes and ADHD: What Parents Need to Know

The Southampton Study, the Lancet meta-analysis, and what they mean for your child. Evidence, not panic.

Toddler Snack Safety: What to Avoid Before Age 3

Choking hazards, honey, high-mercury fish, excess sodium — the complete checklist for parents of under-3s.

Organic vs. Conventional Kids' Snacks: Are They Actually Safer?

We compared ingredients, dye usage, and additive counts across 50 popular products. The results may surprise you.

Understanding FDA Food Recalls: A Parent's Guide

Class I, II, and III recalls explained. How to check if a product in your pantry has been recalled, and what to do next.

Red 3 Ban: Which Products Still Contain It in 2026?

Red 3 (Erythrosine) was banned in January 2025 but products are still on shelves. Here's the current status and what to watch for.

Back-to-School Lunch Box: Dye-Free Snack Ideas for 2026

20 lunch box combos that are dye-free, allergen-aware, and kid-approved. With a printable weekly planner.

California Food Safety Act: How It Changes Your Grocery Shopping

Red 3, brominated vegetable oil, potassium bromate, and propylparaben — banned in California. What this means nationwide.