The FDA bans red dye #3 from food use

Roommates, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is cracking down on a popular candy and snack additive. According to Associated Pressthe agency took action to ban red dye No. 3 from food products in the country. Other names for red dye include erythrosine, FD&C Red No. 3 or Red 3.

RELATED: Not meat! More than 100,000 pounds of ground beef from a Detroit manufacturer has been recalled

Details on the red dye ban #3

The FDA made the move to comply with a petition from 2022 that highlighted the dangers of the red tint. The petition was signed by more than two dozen supporters of food safety and health.

However, the concern about the red dye of the decade. In particular, it has been 35 years since #3 was last approved in cosmetics. Studies have shown the development of cancer in laboratory rats exposed to the dye. However, Jim Jones, deputy commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, said the FD&C Red No. 3 does not cause cancer in humans and rats alike.

However, the FDA enforces the Delaney Clause, which requires a ban on any substance that can cause cancer in living things. This new ban means the red dye cannot be used in foods, dietary supplements and oral medicines such as cough syrups.

What will happen next?

While the FDA recently announced a ban on the red dye, this gives food manufacturers additional time to course-correct. Manufacturers must remove dyes by January 2027, and drug manufacturers by January 2028. California has banned the substance since January 2027. The new US requirement will apply even to imported goods. European countries and Australia have already banned Red 3.

It is unclear whether food manufacturers will oppose the ban, especially without evidence of cancer effects in humans. However, some manufacturers have already started replacing Red 3 with food pigments made from beet juice, purple sweet potato, radish and red cabbage. Carmine, a dye made from insects, was also used.

RELATED: Oh! FDA issues egg recall after at least 65 sick in THESE states