The FDA is prohibiting the use of Red No. 3 food coloring in the United States.
(USA Today) The Food and Drug Administration has officially prohibited the use of Red No. 3, a dye that has been employed to impart a vibrant cherry-red color to various food and beverage items.
On Wednesday, the FDA announced a revision to its regulations concerning color additives, stating that artificial Red No. 3 will no longer be permitted in food products and ingested medications.
This decision follows a petition submitted in 2022 by advocates who assert that the dye is associated with cancer and behavioral issues in children.
Manufacturers will have until January 15, 2027, to modify their food formulations containing Red No. 3, while those producing drugs using the dye must comply by January 18, 2028, as outlined by the FDA. Furthermore, any food imported into the United States must adhere to these updated regulations.
Understanding Red No. 3 and Its Impacts
Also known as erythrosine, Red No. 3 is a petroleum-derived color additive that provides a striking cherry-red tint to food and beverages. According to the FDA’s announcement, this dye has been widely utilized in candies, cakes, cupcakes, frozen treats, frostings, and an assortment of ingested medications. The Environmental Working Group reports that over 3,000 products in the U.S. utilize Red No. 3.
This dye faced prohibition from cosmetic products in the U.S. in 1990 due to evidence indicating a high dose of the dye could lead to cancer in lab rats. Nevertheless, it continued to be one of the nine synthetic dyes permitted for use in food items. The other approved dyes include Blue No. 1, Blue No. 2, Green No. 3, Orange B, Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, and Citrus Red, all of which serve to enhance the visual appeal of food, drinks, and medicines.
The color additive petition of 2022 referenced two studies where high exposures to Red No. 3 resulted in cancer in male laboratory rats.
However, the FDA noted that the mechanisms leading to cancer in these rats do not translate to humans, who typically encounter much lower levels of the dye.
In 2023, California became the first state to impose a ban on the production, sale, or distribution of four food additives, including Red No. 3.
Globally, Red No. 3 faces is largely banned in nations such as the European Union, Australia, and New Zealand, along with stringent regulations in countries including Japan.
ref; https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2025/01/15/red-no-3-fda-ban/77717055007/
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