FDA Bans Red Dye No. 3 in Foods Over Health Concerns

The decision follows decades of scrutiny and aligns U.S. regulations with restrictions already in place in Europe, Australia, and New Zealand.

The FDA has banned Red Dye No. 3 in food products, citing studies linking it to thyroid cancer in rats, with food manufacturers required to reformulate by January 2027.
The dye, used in candies, cereals, baked goods, and other products, was already prohibited in cosmetics and certain drugs since 1990 due to health concerns.
California's 2023 legislation banning Red Dye No. 3 influenced the FDA's decision, reflecting growing advocacy for stricter regulations on food additives in the U.S.
While human studies have not confirmed the same cancer risks observed in animals, watchdog groups have pushed for the ban based on legal and precautionary principles.
The FDA's move does not affect other synthetic dyes like Red No. 40, which remains under scrutiny for potential links to behavioral issues in children.