Red Dye No. 3 Is Banned in the US but These 9 Foods Still Contain It
Earlier this year U.S. Food and Drug Administration Revoked the authorization of red dye No. 3a widely used food coloring associated with thyroid cancer. Although the ruling ends with the final end of the cooking colorant, food companies will have several years to remove it from production.
Here is all information about foods currently using synthetic red dyes.
What is Red Number 3?
Red No. 3 – Also known as FD&C Red 3, erythrosine or Red 3 – is a synthetic dye Made of petroleum And add “Bright cherry red” to the added product.
In 1990, the FDA banned Red 3 in cosmetics, but there was no law to prohibit synthetic dyes from being added to multiple types of food and beverages in the coming decades.
The FDA cites Delaney Terms As a reasoning for the ban, “If it is found to induce cancer in humans or animals, then FDA authorized food additives or color additives are prohibited.”
Although the study does show a link between cancer in laboratory rats, no link between human dyes and cancer has been found.
“While some studies have noted carcinogenicity in male rats, the FDA is announcing its announcement that the hormone mechanisms that dyes cause cancer in rats are specific to animals and do not occur in humans,” Bryan Hitchcock, chief science and technology officer of the food technician, told CNET.
Hitchcock added that the studies used a lot of dye, which is more than the average person consumed when eating foods containing it.
“Study on human safety tests No. 3 have been in much higher than average consumption, as various global regulators have pointed out,” he said. “The study cited by the FDA states that rats roughly give 200 times the maximum daily weight consumption per day. ”
9 foods containing red number 3
- Certain Maraschino cherries
- Certain processed meat and meat alternatives
Red 3 has been previously banned in other countries, including Australia.
The specific items currently have red number 3 in their ingredient list are:
- Various types of Brach’s candy, including classic jelly beans, spiced jelly beans and Dialogue Heart
- Morningstar Farm plant-based bacon strips
- Good humorous strawberry shortbread frozen dessert sticks
- PEZ Candy
according to List compiled by Drugs.comSome of these drugs with red number 3 include:
- Acetaminophen
- Doxycycline monohydrate
- Gabapentin
- Vyvanse
this The Environment Workgroup has compiled a searchable database Foods that use dyes that are now prohibited. As of February 5, 2025, the website has collected 3,092 products, using Red No. 3 as an ingredient.
When does the company need to remove No. 3 red from the product?
Despite the ban, don’t expect to see the red 3 ingredients disappear from the ingredients list. According to the FDA, companies must remove it from their products by 2027 or 2028.
“Manufacturers using FD&C Red 3 in food and intake must be January 15, 2027 or January 18, 2028 respectively to re-engineer their products,” he said. FDA Statement read.
What will replace the number 3 red?
Red dye No. 3 will soon be replaced by food coloring made from beets and other natural ingredients.
Givaudan sensory colora manufacturing company that manufactures natural food and beverage coloring, highlights Three possible alternatives to Red 3 – Carmine, actually Made of error;Betacyanins found in beetroot; and anthocyanins, derived from Fruits and vegetables.
California legislator Jesse Gabriel told NBC News Although synthetic dyes can be cheaper than other alternatives, he does not believe that the Red 3 ban will cause changes in the price of affected products.
“We don’t expect any food to go up,” he told The Outlet.
As for alternative synthetic dyes, Red 40The FDA does not prohibit use and can also help achieve bright red colors, so it is also possible to choose a replacement for manufacturers to choose.
Is other chemical foods safe to color?
After the Red 3 ban, eight color additives are now approved by the FDA. They are FD&C Blue 1, FD&C Blue 2, FD&C Green 3, Orange B, Citrus Red No. 2, FD&C Red 40, FD&C Yellow No. 5 and FD&C Yellow No. 6.
Hitchcock said so far, studies have shown that there is no obvious risk of consuming these dyes.
“Although science tells us that there is little risk in eating other synthetic dyes, it is important that we continue to monitor and evaluate the safety of food ingredients,” he said. “It is crucial that we continue to invest in health research on food health to ensure safety and provide consumers with peace of mind.”
According to the FDA, the above dyes do not bring the same risk as the possible risk of red No. 3, which is why they are still available in the United States. However, some studies have shown that there may be a link between certain dyes and underlying health conditions. For example, some studies link red 40 to ADHD. Cleveland Clinicbut further studies are still needed to determine the direct link between dyes and disease.
When asked about the safety of other food dyes, Hitchcock highlighted the need for FDA transparency, which he said the agency has been addressing.
“We think there needs to be a clear framework for market addition security,” Hitchcock said. “The FDA is actively working to address this issue, such as theirs Developed the FDA enhanced system process for postmarket assessment of chemical substances in food. IFT believes that the FDA needs to propose a transparent, scientific basis, compositional knowledge and timely postmarket assessment of chemical food safety. ”
If the drink looks too red rather than natural, it may be.
The bottom line of red number 3
Red 3 has been completely banned in the United States, but it will continue to be used for the next two years as manufacturers work hard to change their recipes. However, some manufacturers are changing faster than that.
Send to CBS NewsDr. Keurig Dr Pepper said the “new recipe” for Yoo-Hoo strawberry flavored drinks is currently made with red No. 3, which can help achieve its color, “will be on the shelves by the end of the year.”
