The United States Bans the Use of Red Dye 3 in Food and Medicine

The United States announced a ban on the use of red dye 3 (erythrosine), which is often added to food and beverages to give it a bright cherry red color.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced on January 15 that manufacturers will no longer be allowed to use red dye No. 3 because of studies showing that the dye causes cancer in male laboratory rats.

Although humans are usually exposed to dyes at a much lower rate than rats in studies, U.S. law requires a ban on exposure to dyes if any link to cancer is found.
The agency said the dye is mainly used in candies, cakes, cookies, frozen desserts and frostings, as well as some medicines.

The ban is the result of a petition filed by multiple groups in 2022. They argued that the dye should be banned because it is linked to cancer and is widely used by American consumers, especially children.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) banned the use of red dye No. 3 in cosmetics 35 years ago. California banned the use of this additive in food in October 2023. In addition to the United States, it is also restricted in New Zealand and EU countries.

The Center for Science in the Public Interest, a US-based a non-profit consumer advocacy group that has long pushed for the FDA ban, said the FDA's ban was long overdue. "The FDA has finally ended the regulatory paradox that Red Dye No. 3 cannot be used in lipstick, but it is perfectly legal to feed it to children in candy form," said Dr. Peter Lurie, the group's president, in a statement.

Food manufacturers using the Red Dye 3 will have until January 2027 to reformulate their products, while drug manufacturers will have an additional year to make adjustments until January 2028.

The FDA said foods imported into the United States must also comply with the new ban. In response to the ban, the National Confectioners Association (NCA) said it will continue to follow FDA guidelines. "Food safety is a top priority for American candy companies," the NCA said in a statement.

Some manufacturers have phased out the use of the dye in their products, such as Dole's Fruit Bowls, which stopped using the dye in 2023.

Some companies have begun using Red Dye 40 instead of Red Dye 3, which is considered a healthier alternative, although one study linked it to increased intestinal illness in mice.

Another study by the UK Food Standards Agency linked Red Dye 40 to increased hyperactivity in children. The additive has been banned in California schools from 2024.