The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the ban of Red No. 3 from food products and ingestible drugs, according to a report from the New York Post.
The dye is commonly found in candy, gum, sprinkles, and strawberry Ensure. The US banned the usage of Red No. 3 in cosmetics and topical drugs since 1990 after evidence that it can cause cancer.
Red No. 3 is already banned in Australia, Japan, and countries throughout the European Union.
Food manufacturers reportedly have until January 15, 2027, to remove the dye from all products. Makers of ingested drugs will have until January 18, 2028, to do the same.
The ban was put in place in accordance with a 1960 policy called the Delaney Clause of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, which prohibits the FDA from authorizing any food or color additive that has been found to cause cancer.
“The FDA cannot authorize a food additive if it has been found to cause cancer in humans or animals,” Jim Jones, the FDA’s deputy director for human foods said. “Evidence shows cancer in laboratory male rats exposed to high levels of FD&C Red No. 3.”
The study of male rats galvanized the Center for Science in the Public Interest and 23 similar organizations to petition the FDA for the removal of Red No. 3. There have been public calls to restrict other food dyes — Red Dye No. 40 and Yellow Dye No. 5 — in food for years.
“These food dyes only serve one function in food, to make them look pretty so you and I want to buy it, it’s a marketing tool,” said Thomas Galligan, who works at the Center for Science in the Public Interest.
Brian Ronholm, the director of food policy for Consumer Reports, told NBC News that the use and marketing of Red No. 3 on children’s products is particularly concerning.
“The widespread use of red dye No. 3 is particularly concerning since it is found in many products marketed to children who are especially at risk of developing health problems from exposure, “ Ronholm said in a statement.
