FDA Bans Red 3 Dye in Food, Citing Cancer Risks Found in Animal Studies

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Wednesday announced a ban on the food dye known as Red 3, nearly 35 years after it was banned in cosmetics due to potential cancer risks. The decision follows a 2022 petition by food safety and health advocates, who called for the revocation of the substance used in candies, snack cakes, and maraschino cherries.

The FDA’s action was based on findings that the dye, also known as erythrosine or FD&C Red No. 3, caused cancer in lab rats. Under the Delaney Clause, a statute requiring the ban of any additive shown to cause cancer in humans or animals, the agency moved to remove the dye from food, dietary supplements, and oral medications.

The ban will take effect gradually, with food manufacturers having until January 2027 to eliminate Red 3 from their products, while makers of ingested drugs have until January 2028. Imported food products must also comply with the new U.S. requirement.

While some experts have questioned whether Red 3 poses a cancer risk to humans, the FDA stated that the way the dye causes cancer in rats does not occur in humans. Nevertheless, the move was welcomed by consumer advocates, including Dr. Peter Lurie of the Centre for Science in the Public Interest, who called it a “long overdue” action.

The decision is expected to impact both domestic and imported foods, with companies already beginning to reformulate products. Alternatives to Red 3, such as beet juice and pigments from other foods, have been used in some products.

The ban follows similar restrictions in countries like Europe, Australia, and New Zealand, with some states in the U.S. taking action, including California, where the dye will be banned in 2027. Public opinion shows strong support for removing artificial dyes from food, with many Americans favoring reformulations to improve food safety.