The Food and Drug Administration has announced the banning of Red No. 3, a synthetic dye commonly used in food and drinks for its cherry red color. This decision follows concerns about its potential link to cancer in animals. The Center for Science in the Public Interest, a food safety advocacy group, petitioned for the ban, highlighting the additive’s presence in various foods and its potential health risks.
The FDA’s move has been applauded by consumer advocacy groups and lawmakers who have long called for the additive’s removal from food products. Red No. 3 is already banned or restricted in other countries due to similar concerns. Food manufacturers will have until 2027 to reformulate their products, with an additional year given to companies that make ingested drugs like dietary supplements.
The banning of Red No. 3 comes after decades of research linking it to cancer in laboratory rats. The FDA has emphasized that a food additive cannot be authorized if it poses a cancer risk. Despite concerns about artificial food dyes potentially affecting children’s behavior, the FDA concluded in 2011 that no causal relationship could be established.
Some U.S. food manufacturers have already taken steps to remove artificial dyes from their products, including Red No. 3. The National Confectioners Association has expressed support for the FDA’s decision and commitment to following food safety regulations. The FDA continues to review the approval of other synthetic dyes, taking into account potential health risks and consumer safety concerns.
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