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FDA bans red dye No. 3
A dye used for decades to give foods and candies a bright cherry-red tint now has a short shelf life.
Beginning in mid-January 2027, using red dye No. 3, also known as erythrosine [ear-ih-throw-zeen], in food is banned. Authorized by the Food and Drug Administration, this decision affects thousands of products, including candies, cupcakes, cookies, frostings, drinks, and medicine that offer a cherry-red pop of color. It’s even in some maraschino cherries.
Made from petroleum, the synthetic red dye No. 3 was approved for food use in 1907. For decades, the FDA was asked to ban it. The regulatory agency banned the dye in cosmetics in the U.S. in 1990. Research studies have linked artificial food dyes to hyperactivity and other neurobehavioral effects in adolescents. High doses of red dye No. 3 have caused cancerous thyroid tumors in lab rats.
In 2023, California passed a statewide ban on the manufacture, sale, and distribution of red dye No. 3. It is also banned or severely restricted outside of the United States in places such as Australia and Japan.
Many candies sold close around the holidays contain this dye. Some companies have already announced plans to begin phasing out the dye before 2027.
The best way to avoid red dye No. 3 is to scan food labels. Experts recommend looking for products with natural alternatives, usually food colored with beets, red cabbage, and fruit extracts.
Ultra-processed foods are most likely to contain red dye No. 3. U.S. Department of Agriculture-certified organic options, including packaged food, must meet standards that protect consumers from exposure.
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By UF Health
5
66 ratings
A dye used for decades to give foods and candies a bright cherry-red tint now has a short shelf life.
Beginning in mid-January 2027, using red dye No. 3, also known as erythrosine [ear-ih-throw-zeen], in food is banned. Authorized by the Food and Drug Administration, this decision affects thousands of products, including candies, cupcakes, cookies, frostings, drinks, and medicine that offer a cherry-red pop of color. It’s even in some maraschino cherries.
Made from petroleum, the synthetic red dye No. 3 was approved for food use in 1907. For decades, the FDA was asked to ban it. The regulatory agency banned the dye in cosmetics in the U.S. in 1990. Research studies have linked artificial food dyes to hyperactivity and other neurobehavioral effects in adolescents. High doses of red dye No. 3 have caused cancerous thyroid tumors in lab rats.
In 2023, California passed a statewide ban on the manufacture, sale, and distribution of red dye No. 3. It is also banned or severely restricted outside of the United States in places such as Australia and Japan.
Many candies sold close around the holidays contain this dye. Some companies have already announced plans to begin phasing out the dye before 2027.
The best way to avoid red dye No. 3 is to scan food labels. Experts recommend looking for products with natural alternatives, usually food colored with beets, red cabbage, and fruit extracts.
Ultra-processed foods are most likely to contain red dye No. 3. U.S. Department of Agriculture-certified organic options, including packaged food, must meet standards that protect consumers from exposure.