FDA Bans Red Dye No. 3 in Food and Drugs Over Cancer Concerns

Manufacturers have until 2027 to reformulate products containing the synthetic dye linked to cancer in animal studies.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has prohibited the use of Red Dye No. 3 in food and ingested drugs, citing studies linking the dye to cancer in male rats.
The synthetic dye, also known as erythrosine, has been used in candies, baked goods, beverages, and certain medications despite being banned in cosmetics since 1990.
Manufacturers must remove Red Dye No. 3 from food products by January 2027 and from ingested drugs by January 2028.
Consumer advocates and health experts have welcomed the ban, emphasizing the importance of reducing synthetic additives in processed foods.
Alternatives like natural food colorings derived from beets and red cabbage are encouraged, and some companies have already started phasing out the dye ahead of the deadline.