U.S. regulators have officially banned the food coloring known as Red 3, also referred to as erythrosine or FD&C Red No. 3, due to health concerns regarding its potential link to cancer. This decision follows a petition from health advocates and nearly three decades after the dye was prohibited in cosmetics due to similar concerns.
Red 3 is a synthetic dye derived from petroleum that imparts a bright cherry-red color to various food and drink products. Previously, the FDA had allowed its use in food and ingested drugs despite declining its approval for cosmetics based on a study indicating it caused cancer in lab rats. However, the FDA maintained that the specific way Red 3 induces cancer in rats does not apply to humans.
The agency’s recent ruling comes after a concerted push from health advocates, including a petition led by the Center for Science in the Public Interest in 2022, and support from Congress, advocating for the protection of children particularly vulnerable to the dye’s effects. The ban removes Red 3 from the approved list of color additives for food and ingested products, with a one-to-two-year compliance period for manufacturers to phase it out.
The new regulation requires food producers to eliminate Red 3 by January 2027, while pharmaceutical companies have until January 2028 for compliance. While other nations, including those in Europe, Australia, and New Zealand, have similar bans, Red 3 remains permitted in specific instances, such as certain maraschino cherries.
Major food producers, such as Ferrara Candy Company, have begun to phase out the dye, noting they expect to eliminate Red 3 from all products by the end of 2026. Mars Wrigley has confirmed that none of its U.S. candy products contain Red 3. As manufacturers look for alternatives to the dye, natural options such as beet juice and pigments from various fruits and vegetables are being considered.
This positive regulatory action aims to enhance food safety and better protect public health, particularly for children and vulnerable populations.
In summary, the ban of Red 3 marks a significant step towards ensuring consumer safety by removing potentially harmful additives from the food supply, with anticipated compliance aiming to be achieved in the next few years.