FDA Bans Red Dye No. 3, a Color Additive Found in Many Foods

For several years, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has been questioning the adverse health effects of consuming a petroleum-based food colorant known as FD&C Red No. 3. Now, it seems, the agency has come to a conclusion: It’s banning red dye no. 3.

Red dye No. 3 is commonly found in all sorts of products, such as frozen desserts, cupcakes, gummies, toasted pastries, and even drugs. With the ban on red dye No. 3, producers must reformulate recipes to meet the new regulations by Jan. 15, 2027. Drug makers have an extra year to make the change. Food imported from other countries must also adhere to the FDA’s order.

Also known as erythrosine or simply Red 3, red dye No. 3 is responsible for the bright red color of many food products. However, the ingredient may cause cancer, according to some studies.

“The FDA is taking action that will remove the authorization for the use of FD&C Red No. 3 in food and ingested drugs,” said FDA deputy commissioner for human foods, Jim Jones, per AP News. “Evidence shows cancer in laboratory male rats exposed to high levels of FD&C Red No.3.”

Will the FDA’s Ban on Red Dye No. 3 Be Reversed?

It’s likely the FDA’s ban of red dye No. 3 will be challenged by food manufacturers. Past studies did not directly link human consumption of the additive to cancer. When research was done on the red dye in 1990, it was related to the cosmetics industry, and it was determined that the cancer rates in rats were not applicable to humans.

The organization that represents the dye industry, the International Association of Color Manufacturers, claims that low levels of red dye No. 3 are safe for human consumption. The association said various studies commissioned by the United Nations and World Health Organization confirmed its safety claim.

Meanwhile, some food manufacturers have already removed red dye No. 3. Instead, many use beet juice, carmine (a substance derived from insects), and several other natural pigments made from purple sweet potato or red cabbage.