The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently announced that Red No. 3, also known as Erythrosine, will no longer be allowed in the U.S. food supply. This dye, commonly used in a variety of food products such as candy, cakes, cookies, frozen desserts, and certain drugs, gives a bright, cherry-red color to these items.
The decision to ban Red No. 3 came after the FDA reviewed a petition citing the Delaney Clause, which argues that the dye should be banned on a federal level due to its link to cancer in animals. Manufacturers who currently use Red No. 3 in their products have until January 15, 2027, for food products, and January 18, 2028, for ingested drugs, to reformulate their items. Products manufactured before these dates may still contain the dye.
Red No. 3 is already banned in the European Union and has been prohibited in cosmetics and topical drugs for over three decades due to its association with animal carcinogenicity. Consumer Reports has linked the dye to cancer, thyroid tumors in lab animals, and neurobehavioral effects in children.
Several companies have already removed Red No. 3 from their products, including Abbott, which owns the PediaSure brand. The ingredient has been found in a variety of foods such as candy, mashed potatoes, yellow rice, breakfast cereals, beverages, and baked goods.
Overall, the removal of Red No. 3 from the U.S. food supply is a significant step in improving food safety and consumer health. The ban will impact a wide range of products, and companies will need to adjust their formulations to comply with the new FDA regulations.