US Bans Use Of Red Dye No. 3 In Foods

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has banned the use of Red Dye No. 3 in food and ingested drugs. Red Dye No. 3, a synthetic color additive made from petroleum and chemically known as erythrosine, is mainly used to give foods and beverages a bright cherry-red color.

Notably, the FDA banned Red No. 3 in cosmetics 35 years ago. California also banned the additive in food products in October 2023. It has been primarily used in certain food products, such as candy, cakes and cupcakes, cookies, frozen desserts, and frostings and icings, as well as certain ingested drugs. Authorities made the move after studies linked it to cancer in male laboratory rats.

"Claims that the use of FD&C Red No. 3 in food and in ingested drugs puts people at risk are not supported by the available scientific information," the FDA noted in its statement. Food and drug manufacturers will have until January 15, 2027, or January 18, 2028, respectively, to remove the dye from their products. Meanwhile, food imported into the country will also have to comply with the new rule.