Red dye No. 3 banned from foods, U.S. regulator says

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) made a significant decision on Wednesday to ban the use of red dye No. 3 in the nation’s food supply. This move comes nearly 35 years after the dye was prohibited from cosmetics due to potential cancer risks associated with its consumption.

The FDA’s decision came in response to a petition filed in 2022 by a group of food safety and health advocates urging the agency to revoke authorization for red dye No. 3, also known as erythrosine, FD&C Red No. 3, or Red 3. This additive is commonly used to give candies, snack cakes, and maraschino cherries a bright red color.

The agency cited the Delaney Clause, a statute that requires the FDA to ban any additive found to cause cancer in humans or animals. Studies have shown that red dye No. 3 has been linked to cancer in laboratory rats, prompting the FDA to take action to protect public health.

Jim Jones, the FDA’s deputy commissioner for human foods, emphasized the importance of removing red dye No. 3 from food and ingested drugs. While the dye has been found to cause cancer in male rats at high levels of exposure, there is no evidence to suggest that it poses the same risk to humans.

Food manufacturers will have until January 2027 to remove red dye No. 3 from their products, while makers of ingested drugs have until January 2028 to comply with the ban. The FDA’s decision will also impact imported foods, as they must meet the new U.S. requirement to be free of red dye No. 3.

Consumer advocates have praised the FDA’s decision, calling it a long-overdue step to protect public health. Dr. Peter Lurie, director of the Center for Science in the Public Interest, commended the agency for addressing the double standard that allowed red dye No. 3 to be banned from cosmetics but permitted in food products.

It remains to be seen whether the ban on red dye No. 3 will face legal challenges from food manufacturers. The FDA’s decision was based on evidence linking the dye to cancer in lab animals, but further research is needed to determine its potential effects on humans.

In the meantime, some food manufacturers have already started reformulating their products to remove red dye No. 3. Alternative ingredients such as beet juice, carmine (a dye made from insects), and natural pigments from foods like purple sweet potato, radish, and red cabbage are being used as substitutes.

Overall, the FDA’s ban on red dye No. 3 marks a significant milestone in protecting public health and ensuring the safety of the nation’s food supply. This decision underscores the agency’s commitment to upholding strict safety standards and responding to emerging health concerns in the food industry.