9 foods that contain the now-banned red dye #3

After a The controversial red food coloring was banned in the USMore questions about its use continue to arise. On January 15, Food and Drug Administration Announced It is withdrawing the approval of Red No. 3 in food, beverages and ingested drugs nationwide after two studies showed that when the dye was ingested in large amounts by lab rats, it caused cancer.

The ban also comes after the state of California banned the same dye and three other food additives in 2023.which gave manufacturers until 2027. to change their prescriptions. Then in 2024 California made history again by Banning six more artificial dyes – Blue 1, Blue 2, Green 3, Red 40, Yellow 5 and Yellow 6- from serving in public schools.

Now the FDA has followed suit by banning Red No. 3. Here’s everything you need to know about the synthetic dye.

What is red #3?

Red No. 3 – Also known as FD&C Red #3, Erythrosine, or Red 3 – is a synthetic dye that is Made from petroleum and adds a “bright, cherry-red color” to products to which it is added.

In 1990 The FDA has banned Red #3 from cosmetics, but no law prohibits the synthetic dye from being added to a host of foods and beverages for decades to come.

FDA cites Delaney Clause as his reasoning for the ban, which “prohibits FDA approval of a food additive or color additive if it is found to cause cancer in humans or animals.”

Although studies have shown a link to cancer in laboratory rats, no link has been found between the dye and cancer in humans.

“While there are studies noting carcinogenicity in male rats, the FDA noted in its release that the hormonal mechanism by which the dye caused cancer in rats is animal-specific and not found in humans,” Brian Hitchcock, chief science officer and technologies of the Institute of Food Technologists, to CNET.

Hitchcock added that the studies used large amounts of the dye, which is more than what the average person would consume when eating foods containing it.

“Studies testing Red No. 3 for human safety have done so in amounts well above the average consumption amount as noted by various global regulatory bodies,” he says. “Studies cited by the FDA noted that rats were given approx 200 times more likely than a maximum daily intake of .25 mg/kg body weight per day. “

What foods contain red #3?

1. Candy
2. Cakes
3. Tartlets
4. Cookies
5. Frozen desserts
6. Freezes
7. Cherry
8. Certain Maraschino Cherries
9. Certain processed meats and meat substitutes

Some specific items that currently have Red #3 on its ingredient list are:

• Multiple varieties of Brach candy, including classic jelly beans, spiced jelly beans, and conversation hearts
• Morningstar Farms Vegetable Bacon Strips
• Good Humor Strawberry Shortcake Frozen Dessert Bars
• Pez Candy

According to a List compiled by Drugs.comSome of the drugs that have a red number 3 in them include:

• Acetaminophen
• Doxycycline monohydrate
• Gabapentin
• Vivance

When will companies officially remove Red #3 from products?

Despite the ban, don’t expect to see red ingredient #3 disappearing from ingredient lists any time soon. According to the FDA, companies will have until 2027 or 2028 to remove it from their products.

“Manufacturers using FD&C Red No. 3 in food and ingested drugs will have until January 15, 2027, respectively. or January 18, 2028 to reformulate their products,” the FDA statement said.

Alternatives to Red #3

Givaudan Sense colora manufacturing company that creates natural colors for food and beverages, highlighted Three possible alternatives to RED #3. They include Carmine, which actually is made of bugs; Betacyanins found in beets; and anthocyanins derived from fruits and vegetables.

California Assembly member Jesse Gabriel said NBC News That although synthetic dyes may be cheaper than other alternatives, he does not believe that Red Ban #3 will change the prices of the affected products.

“We don’t expect the price of any food to increase,” he told the outlet.

As for alternative synthetic dyes, Red 40which is not banned by the FDA, can also help achieve a bright red color, so it is also a possible alternative that manufacturers will choose.

Are other color additives safe?

Following the ban on Red #3, there are now eight color additives approved by the FDA. They are FD&C Blue No. 1, FD&C Blue No. 2, FD & C Green No. 3, Orange B, Citrus Red No. 2, FD&C Red No. 40, FD & C Yellow No. 5 and FD&C Yellow No. 6.

Hitchcock says studies so far show there is no notable risk from consuming these dyes.

“While the science tells us there is almost no risk from consuming other synthetic dyes, it is important to continue to monitor and evaluate the safety of food ingredients,” he says. “It is clear that we continue to invest in more scientific research around the health of our food to ensure safety and give consumers peace of mind.”

According to the FDA, the above dyes do not pose the same possible risks as Red No. 3, which is why they are still available for use in the US. But some studies have shown possible links between certain dyes and potential health conditions. For example, some studies have linked Red 40 to hyperactivity, according to Cleveland Clinicbut further studies are still needed to determine a direct link between the dye and the condition.

When asked about the safety of other food dyes, Hitchcock emphasized the need for transparency from the FDA, which he said the agency has addressed.

“We believe there should be a clear framework for post-market review of dietary supplement safety,” says Hitchcock. “The FDA is actively working to address this issue, as seen in their”Development of an improved systematic process for the FDA’s post-market evaluation of chemicals in food. ‘ IFT believes that the FDA should provide a post-market assessment of food chemical safety that is transparent, science-based, informed and timely. ”

The bottom line

Red Number 3 is completely banned in the US, but it will continue to be used in food for the next two years as manufacturers work to change their recipes. However, some manufacturers make changes much faster than this.

In an email to CBS NewsKeurig Dr Pepper said a “new formula” for Yoo-Hoo’s strawberry-flavored drink, which is currently made with Red #3 to achieve its color, “will be on shelves before the end of the year.”