Avoid these foods with red dye 3, as the FDA prohibits the additive from causing cancer

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The Food and Drug Administration has said it is banning the use of Red No. 3, a synthetic dye that has long been used in the United States to color certain foods, such as candy and colored beverages, as well as some oral drugs and dietary supplements.

Research shows that red no. 3 can cause cancer in animals, That was reported by NBC News. For decades, many food safety advocates have been concerned about the substance’s presence in the American food system.

“We are thrilled that the FDA has finally taken action to remove this unnecessary color additive from the market, following the clear dictates of the law,” Dr. Peter Lurie, president and CEO of the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), tells TODAY.com.

“In the absence of industry lobbying, I think we would all expect this product to have been banned decades ago,” he adds.

Food manufacturers have until 15 January 2027 to remove red no. 3 from their products, and pharmaceutical manufacturers have until January 18, 2028 to remove it from ingested medicine, according to FDA.

Why Did the FDA Ban Red Dye No. 3?

The FDA said it is banning the use of red dye no. 3 because of evidence that the synthetic color additive can cause cancer in animals.

The says the agency that under a clause in the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act), the FDA is not allowed to approve any color additive “if it has been shown to induce cancer in humans or animals.”

Jim Jones, the agency’s deputy director for humane foods, said there is “evidence” of “cancer in male laboratory rats exposed to high levels of FD&C Red Dye No. 3” in a statement to NBC News.

Red dye no. 3 has not been linked to cancer in humans, but Lurie says it’s likely because it’s difficult to study whether substances like food additives cause cancer in humans for “many technical reasons.”

For example, it is unethical to give human participants a substance that can cause cancer for a double-blind study, and it is challenging to study the rate of cancer in the population consuming Red 3 because so many people consume it, usually in unknown amounts.

There are also concerns about red dye no. 3 and children. In 2011, the F.D.A investigated a possible link between the use of artificial dyes, including Red 3, and hyperactivity in children. But the agency found no causal link, NBC News reported.

The national ban comes after California banned the use of red dye no. 3 in foods by 2023. Ten other states, including Washington, South Dakota, Illinois and Missouri, have also introduced legislation in recent years to limit the use of red dye no. 3 , according to CSPI.

What is Red Dye No. 3?Red dye no. 3, also known as erythrosine, is a synthetic food dye that gives food and drink a bright red color. It is also sometimes used in oral medications and dietary supplements.

On food labels, the substance is listed as “FD&C Red No. 3,” “FD&C Red 3,” or “Red 3,” according to the FDA.

In 1990, the F.D.A prohibited use of the dye in cosmetics and topical medicines after a study linked the additive to tumors in male laboratory rats exposed to high doses.

Many other countries, including Japan, Australia and countries in the European Union, have either already banned or restricted the use of red dye no. 3 in foods, according to NBC News.

Which foods contain red dye no. 3?

Thousands of foods contain red dye no. 3, according to CSPI. Lurie says the dye is also present in some oral medications and supplements.

“A search by the United States Department of Agriculture Branded Foods Database at FoodData Central identified 9,201 U.S. foods that contain red 3 — including hundreds of products made by the nation’s largest food companies,” CSPI notes.

Here is a list of some common foods that may contain red 3 – per Lurie, FDA, CSPI and Amanda Beavera dietitian at Houston Methodist hospital.

  • Candy, especially seasonal candy such as candy corn and colored marshmallows
  • Cakes and cupcakes
  • Frozen desserts, such as popsicles and strawberry flavored ice cream
  • Frosting
  • Maraschino cherries
  • Fruit cocktails
  • Colored drinks
  • Protein shakes
  • Vegetarian meat
  • Bacon pieces
  • Sausages
  • Strawberry milk
  • Puddings

However, it’s important to note that not all items that fall into one of the above categories will contain red 3. Therefore, Lurie encourages consumers to read food labels before making a purchase.

Red 3 is legally required to be on food labels if it exists and will be listed as:

  • FD&C red no. 3
  • FD&C Red 3
  • Red 3

According to Drugs.cominclude some of the oral medicines that may contain Red 3:

  • Acetaminophen, a pain reliever
  • Fluoxetine, an antidepressant
  • Gabapentin, an anticonvulsant
  • Andomeprazole, which treats heartburn

“Virtually everyone uses Red 3 some of the time,” says Lurie. “They don’t really know, and they don’t know in what amounts they’re consuming it.”