The FDA is banning Red No. 3 food dye from food and drinks

Fruit by the Foot and Ringpops have been put on notice. The FDA yesterday officially banned Red No. 3, aka erythrosine, an additive made from petroleum that’s used to give foods and drinks a bright, cherry-red color.

• Red No. 3 was banned from use in cosmetics in the US in 1990, due to evidence the dye is carcinogenic at high doses to lab rats. But it has remained one of nine synthetic dyes approved by the FDA for use in food products.

Behind the latest red alert: The FDA said yesterday’s move came in response to a 2022 petition filed by advocates, who cited a pair of studies that showed male lab rats developed cancer when exposed to high levels of Red No. 3.

• According to the FDA, the cancer found in the studies was caused by a rat specific hormonal mechanism and doesn’t occur in humans.
• But the agency was forced to ban Red No. 3 regardless, under a 1960 law prohibiting FDA authorization of a food additive found to cause cancer in humans or animals.

👀 Looking ahead…Manufacturers of the 9,000+ US products containing Red No. 3 – most commonly found in candy, cakes/cupcakes, frozen desserts, frostings, and certain supplements – will have until 2027 to reformulate their food products, and until 2028 to change their supplements.