FDA prohibits the use of Red No. 3 artificial coloring in beverages, candy and other food products

The Food and Drug Administration has announced the ban of Red No. 3, a synthetic dye used in food and drinks for its bright red cherry color, due to its link to cancer in animals. The ban comes after years of pressure from consumer advocacy groups and lawmakers, who have raised concerns about the additive’s potential health risks, especially for children. Food manufacturers will have until January 15, 2027 to reformulate their products, with an additional year given to companies making ingested drugs. Red No. 3, made from petroleum, was approved for use in foods in 1907, and the FDA’s move to ban it has been in the works for decades, following evidence of its carcinogenic properties in rats exposed to high doses in the 1980s. The Biden administration’s ban precedes the Senate confirmation hearings for Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has expressed a focus on artificial dyes as health and human services secretary. Red No. 3 is already banned or restricted in other countries, and some U.S. food manufacturers have voluntarily removed it from their products. The FDA has been actively reviewing the approval of Red No. 3 following a petition from advocacy groups, citing cancer risks and concerns about children’s behavior. While the FDA has now revoked its approval nationwide, some states including California had already taken steps to ban the dye. The move has been praised by consumer advocacy groups and health organizations, who see it as a positive step towards ensuring food safety for consumers.

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