In a significant move aimed at improving public health, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced today a formal ban on the use of Red No. 3, a synthetic dye previously linked to cancer risk, in food and ingestible drugs. This decision follows a petition filed in 2022 by over a dozen food safety and health advocates, urging the FDA to eliminate the dye from products consumed by the public due to its potential harm.
Red No. 3, also known as FD&C Red No. 3, has been a common ingredient in a wide range of food products, beverages, and medications. Its use in cosmetics has already been prohibited, but the FDA’s latest decision expands the ban to cover food items and any products that are ingested. The action reflects growing concerns over the long-term health implications of consuming synthetic dyes, especially those with carcinogenic properties.
The dye is still found in many beloved snack foods and drinks that millions of Americans enjoy regularly. Some of the most recognizable products that contain Red No. 3 include popular candies such as candy corn, Hot Tamales, PEZ, Ring Pop (in specific flavors), and Dubble Bubble gum. Additionally, it is present in certain fruit snacks like Fruit by the Foot, Jelly Belly candies, and conversation heart candies. It is also used to color maraschino cherries, some varieties of canned fruit, and even toaster pastries.
The ban also impacts various frozen foods and beverages. Ice pops, frozen fruit bars, and specific ice cream and frozen yogurt flavors are affected, along with strawberry-flavored milk and some sodas and fruit drinks. Some gummy vitamins, as well as certain cough syrups, are also among the products that will no longer contain Red No. 3.
The petition that led to this ban was initiated by the Center for Science in the Public Interest, an organization that advocates for food safety, and supported by other health and safety organizations. Their goal is to protect consumers from the potential risks posed by artificial color additives, which have been linked to health concerns, including cancer, over the years. Health experts have long warned that synthetic food dyes may contribute to health problems, and this move by the FDA is seen as a step forward in addressing those risks.
While the FDA has not yet announced a timeline for the removal of Red No. 3 from products on the shelves, companies will likely need to reformulate their products to meet the new regulations. This could lead to changes in the appearance or flavor of many foods and snacks that consumers are accustomed to.
The decision to ban Red No. 3 is part of a broader effort to examine the safety of artificial food additives and their impact on public health. With increasing scrutiny on food ingredients, advocates hope that this action will prompt further reviews of other potentially harmful substances in the food supply. As the FDA moves forward with this ban, consumers can expect to see changes in the ingredients of many everyday products, as manufacturers adjust to the new standards.