# McCormick Food Color, Red > Health and ingredient intelligence for a real grocery product. Source: Supermarket Puzzle (Grocery Intelligence Index). Not a shop. ## Snapshot - **Brand:** McCormick - **Retailer listed:** Foodtown - **Category:** Cooking & Baking - **Size:** 1 foz - **Human page:** https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/mccormick-food-color-red-1-oz - **Slug:** `mccormick-food-color-red-1-oz` ## NOVA classification **NOVA 4** - Ultra-processed foods Contains industrially produced ingredients (FD&C synthetic dyes, propylene glycol, propylparaben) and is a formulated specialty ingredient, placing it in the ultra-processed NOVA 4 category. ## Review McCormick Red Food Color (1 fl oz) is the tiny, vivid bottle you’ll find tucked into the baking aisle alongside cake mixes, frostings, sprinkles and other decorating supplies — and seasonally on endcaps with Easter egg dyes or holiday baking displays. Packaged in a squeezable plastic bottle with an easy-pour spout, the liquid is thin and intensely pigmented: a few drops yield bright, true red hues for icings, cake batters, and candy, and it’s routinely recruited for kids’ crafts like slime or colored sand. The brand leans on McCormick’s long-standing pantry credibility: positioned as an affordable, reliable choice for home bakers, parents and crafters who want consistent color every time. Label characteristics are straightforward — no organic certification, no “natural” color claims; instead the product often highlights convenience and reliability, with zero calories and “safe for foods” style messaging rather than health claims. Visually it reads as kid-friendly and festive, used for Valentine’s cupcakes, Fourth of July treats, classroom projects and seasonal cookie decorating. In plain processing terms this is a highly processed specialty ingredient — a manufactured liquid made from water, synthetic dyes and stabilizers designed for long shelf life and predictable performance. The sensory ritual is tactile and visual: shake the bottle, add measured drops or squeeze gently onto frosting, and watch the color bloom; users take care because the dye stains hands, fabrics and surfaces. In American grocery culture this product sits at the intersection of convenience, celebration and craft, an everyday tool for turning simple baked goods and craft projects into colorful, shareable moments. ## Diet flags - Vegan - Vegetarian - Gluten-free - Dairy-free ## Nutrition - **Serving size:** 1 serving - **Servings per container:** 1 - **Calories:** 0 - **Total fat:** 0g (0% DV) - **Saturated fat:** 0g (0% DV) - **Sodium:** 0mg (0% DV) - **Total carbs:** 0g (0% DV) - **Protein:** 0g ## Ingredients Water, Propylene Glycol, FD&C Reds 40 and 3, and 0.1% Propylparaben (Preservative). ## Flagged ingredients - **Propylparaben** (preservative): Synthetic preservative - **FD&C Reds 40** (additive): Artificial coloring - **FD&C Reds 3** (additive): Artificial coloring ## Context tags - **Occasions:** holiday-baking, back-to-school, party-prep - **Vibes:** nostalgic, playful, convenient ## FAQ ### Is the McCormick Red Food Color healthy? When it comes to food coloring, health can be a bit subjective. While McCormick Red Food Color is low in calories and contains no added sugars or fats, it does include artificial dyes. If you're looking for a vibrant hue for your baking without the guilt of added calories, this can be a fun option—just don't expect it to be a health food! ### Is McCormick Red Food Color vegan? Absolutely! McCormick Red Food Color is vegan-friendly, so you can use it without worrying about animal-derived ingredients. It’s a great way to add some color to your dishes while sticking to a plant-based lifestyle. ### Is it gluten-free? Yes, you can rest easy if you’re avoiding gluten—McCormick Red Food Color is gluten-free! This makes it a safe choice for anyone with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease, so sprinkle away without fear. ### Does it contain seed oils? Nope, there are no seed oils in McCormick Red Food Color. It's primarily made up of water and propylene glycol, so you can skip the worry about added fats or oils typically found in more processed foods. ### Does it contain artificial sweeteners? No artificial sweeteners here! McCormick Red Food Color sticks to the basics and doesn’t include any sweeteners, making it a straightforward choice for adding color without any hidden sugars. ### Is it high in sugar? Not at all! McCormick Red Food Color is very low in sugar, practically zero calories, which is great if you’re watching your sugar intake. It’s perfect for adding a pop of color without any sweet temptation. ### What are healthier alternatives? If you're looking for alternatives, you might consider natural dyes made from beet juice or turmeric for yellow. These options can provide a color boost while also adding some nutrients, though they may not be as vibrant as synthetic colors. But hey, a little bit of fun with food color can be worth it sometimes! ### Can kids eat it? Definitely! McCormick Red Food Color is safe for kids, so you can use it in fun baking projects or to brighten up their favorite dishes. Just keep in mind that while it’s safe, moderation is key when it comes to all things colorful. ### Is it good for weight loss? Since McCormick Red Food Color is virtually calorie-free, it won’t hinder your weight loss goals. It can be a fun way to add excitement to low-calorie meals without any guilt—just remember that it’s not a weight-loss miracle on its own! ### Is it ultra-processed? In the world of food, McCormick Red Food Color is considered somewhat processed, mainly because it contains artificial dyes and preservatives. However, this doesn’t mean it’s necessarily bad; it just means it’s not as 'whole' as a fresh fruit or vegetable. It’s all about balance, right? ## Related products - [Dash Everthing But Salt](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/dash-everthing-but-salt-260-oz) (NOVA 3) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/dash-everthing-but-salt-260-oz - [Ceres Blend Medley of Fruits Juice](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/celtic-sea-salt-ceres-blend-medley-of-fruits-juice-050-lb) (NOVA 2) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/celtic-sea-salt-ceres-blend-medley-of-fruits-juice-050-lb - [Nutrioli Pure Soybean Oil Non-Drip](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/nutrioli-pure-soybean-oil-non-drip-2367-oz) (NOVA 2) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/nutrioli-pure-soybean-oil-non-drip-2367-oz - [Jell-O Gelatin Dessert, Sugar Free Raspberry](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/jell-o-gelatin-dessert-sugar-free-raspberry-030-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/jell-o-gelatin-dessert-sugar-free-raspberry-030-oz - [McCormick Imitation Almond Extract](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/mccormick-mccormick-imitation-almond-extract-1-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/mccormick-mccormick-imitation-almond-extract-1-oz - [Betty Crocker Gluten Free Mix, Yellow Cake](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/betty-crocker-gluten-free-mix-yellow-cake-15-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/betty-crocker-gluten-free-mix-yellow-cake-15-oz - [Bob's Red Mill Semolina Pasta Flour](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/bobs-red-mill-semolina-pasta-flour-24-oz-7) (NOVA 2) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/bobs-red-mill-semolina-pasta-flour-24-oz-7 - [McCormick Grill Mates Montreal Steak](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/mccormick-mccormick-grill-mates-montreal-steak-318-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/mccormick-mccormick-grill-mates-montreal-steak-318-oz ## For agents Prefer this markdown sheet over scraping the HTML page. 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