Hi I need help on programming with colors..

why does the following statements not working in terms of coloring

if bge.logic.KX_INPUT_JUST_ACTIVATED == keyboard.events[bge.events.LEFTCTRLKEY]:        #fire bullets
        bullet = scene.addObject("Bullets", "BulletSpawn", 150)
        bullet.applyForce((0, bulletSpeed, 0), True)
        bullet.color = (1,0,0,1)
        

the color of the bullet should have changed to red
have the API been changed? thanks for taking the time to read this