NEWS: FDA Bans Popular Food Ingredient Red Dye No. 3. Here’s What That Means.

Red dye No. 3 is officially banned in the United States. The Food and Drug Administration announced that red dye No. 3 is prohibited in food, drinks, and ingested drugs on January 15th, 2025.

This news comes about two years after California announced a red dye No. 3 ban of its own in October 2023. Now, the ban will span across all food and beverage products sold in the U.S.

The FDA explains that red dye No. 3 is a “synthetic food dye that gives foods and drinks a bright, cherry-red color,” and it is made from petroleum. Companies and manufacturers have until January 15th, 2027 and January 18th, 2028 to remove the dye from products and reformulate. Further, products that are imported to the United States cannot use red dye No. 3 per the new requirements.

Currently, you can find red dye No. 3 in several popular foods, desserts, candies, and drinks. While many companies, like Brach’s candies, began phasing out the synthetic dye years ago per CNN, the dye is still in use throughout the U.S. We even spotted red dye No. 3 in various snacks and candies in Disney World, like lollipops, cupcakes, colored popcorn, and taffy.

At this time, the FDA has not found any major connections between red dye No. 3 and cancer in humans, noting, “relevant exposure levels to FD&C Red No. 3 for humans are typically much lower than those that cause the effects shown in male rats.” Further, the FDA added, “Claims that the use of FD&C Red No. 3 in food and in ingested drugs puts people at risk are not supported by the available scientific information.”

For now, it seems like the FDA is revoking the authorization for the use of FD&C Red No. 3 as a matter of law, based on the Delaney Clause of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act). The Delaney Clause states that the FDA cannot approve food dyes and color additives that cause cancer in animals or humans when ingested. The FDA cited multiple studies that showed cancer in laboratory male rats exposed to high levels of FD&C Red No. 3 due to a rat-specific hormonal mechanism.

While California also banned red No. 40 from foods and drinks sold in public schools, the FDA has not banned red dye No. 40 at this time. California instated the ban following a study that found a potential link to accelerated immune-system tumor growth in mice. According to CNN, other sources say the dye contains benzene, a carcinogen.

You can check any food label to see if red dye No. 3 is present. The FDA requires manufacturers to list red dye No. 3 as an ingredient. You may also see it listed as “red 3” or “FD&C Red #3.”

In the meantime, we’re always on the lookout for the latest food and beverage news, so stay tuned for more.

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Do you try to avoid synthetic dyes in food? Let us know in the comments!

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