The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the United States has finally decided to ban Red Dye No. 3 from our food supply. The same dye that has been linked to cancer in lab rats for over three decades is now being shown the door.
What is Red Dye 3? Red Dye No. 3, also known as erythrosine or FD&C Red No. 3, is a synthetic food coloring derived from petroleum and has been a staple in the food industry since its approval in 1907. This synthetic dye has been used to give foods and drinks a bright, cherry-red hue. Common applications of Red Dye No. 3 include candies, frostings, frozen desserts, and snack cakes. Red Dye No. 3 was banned from cosmetics in 1990 after studies linked it to cancer in lab rats. However, it managed to stay in our food supply for another 35 years.
Though there is no conclusive evidence linking the dye to cancer in humans, its potential risks led to the ban in many countries, including the European Union, Australia, and Japan.
The FDA’s decision to ban Red Dye No. 3 comes after years of pressure from health advocates and a 2022 petition from the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI). The agency cited the Delaney Clause, which requires the FDA to ban any additive found to cause cancer in humans or animals. Studies from the 1980s showed that high doses of Red Dye No. 3 caused thyroid tumors in male rats, but the FDA argued that the levels humans consume are much lower and not a risk.
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So why did it take so long for the FDA to act? Some speculate that the food industry’s powerful lobbying efforts played a role in delaying the ban. After all, Red Dye No. 3 is found in thousands of products, from candies and snack cakes to maraschino cherries and strawberry-flavored beverages. The ban will undoubtedly force manufacturers to reformulate their products, which could be costly.
Jim Jones, FDA Deputy Commissioner, confirmed that the ban was a “matter of law,” stressing the agency’s duty to act on evidence, even if cancer risk does not translate in humans.
What products contain Red Dye 3? Red Dye 3 is a common ingredient in various medicines, foods and drinks. Here is a taste of what’s on the chopping block: Pez candy, Dubble Bubble Original Twist Bubble Gum, Brach’s Candy Corn, Jelly Belly, Entenmann’s Little Bites Party Cake Mini Muffins, Betty Crocker Fruit by the Foot, and even some strawberry-flavored Yoo-hoo. And let’s not forget the maraschino cherries that adorn your favorite cocktails.
According to the FDA’s ruling, Food manufacturers must remove Red Dye 3 from their products by January 2027.
Ken Cook, president of the Environmental Working Group, said in a press release: “Today’s action by the FDA marks a monumental victory for consumer health and safety.”
While the FDA’s decision is a victory for consumer health and safety, one can’t help but wonder if it’s too little, too late. The dye has been banned in Europe, Australia, and New Zealand for years, yet it took the FDA decades to catch up. And let’s not forget the irony: Red Dye No. 3 was banned from lipstick in 1990, but it was perfectly fine to feed it to children in the form of candy.
This ban is a small step in the right direction, but it also serves as a stark reminder of the influence of the food industry and the slow pace of regulatory change. So, enjoy your artificially colored treats while you can, because come January 2027, they’ll be a thing of the past. Which of these Red Dye 3 products is your favorite? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below. This is The News God. Share, Like and subscribe for more updates.
