US Prohibits Red No. 3 in Foods Due to Cancer Risks

Thursday 16 January 2025 - 10:34

The United States has officially banned the use of the artificial food dye Red No. 3, which imparts a cherry-red color to certain candies, baked goods, and oral medications. This decision follows evidence linking the dye to cancer in laboratory rats.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the prohibition on Wednesday, marking a significant shift over three decades after the dye was banned in cosmetics. Linda Birnbaum, a former director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, expressed her approval, stating, “Banning it in cosmetics but allowing it in food never made sense to me. This action is long overdue.”

Consumer advocacy organizations have been urging the FDA to take action against Red No. 3 for years. A petition submitted in 2022 highlighted studies showing that high exposure to the dye could cause cancer in male rats. According to FDA Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods Jim Jones, the agency is legally prohibited from approving additives that have been shown to cause cancer in humans or animals. However, he clarified that studies in other animals and humans have not demonstrated the same risks, and current evidence does not indicate that the dye’s use in food and medications endangers people.

Food manufacturers have until January 15, 2027, to reformulate their products, while makers of ingestible medications must comply by January 18, 2028. Lawmakers have scrutinized the FDA over its regulation of food dyes, pressing for stricter oversight.

The National Confectioners Association, representing the confectionery industry, affirmed its commitment to food safety and compliance with FDA standards. Meanwhile, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has been outspoken about reducing chemicals in food, has echoed the need for tighter regulations on additives.