A red dye used in foods such as candies, beverages, and other products may soon be banned in the United States, depending on the decision of federal regulators regarding a petition currently under review.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is considering taking action against the use of the dye known as Red No. 3, an artificial additive that gives thousands of products on the U.S. market their distinct cherry-red color.
Although the FDA has maintained that Red No. 3, like other additives approved by the agency, is safe for human consumption, several groups have called for its ban, citing concerns about its possible link to cancer and behavioral issues in children.
In a recent Senate hearing, Jim Jones, deputy commissioner of the FDA for human foods, noted that it has been over a decade since a safety review was conducted on this synthetic dye.
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What is Red No. 3?
Red No. 3 is a synthetic dye derived from petroleum that is used to give foods and beverages their characteristic vibrant red hue.
Why is Red No. 3 being banned?
The food dye, restricted in the European Union, has long been criticized by activists, public health organizations, and lawmakers, who point to studies linking it to health risks.
Red No. 3 has been associated with cases of hyperactivity in children and has been shown to cause cancer in animals. However, current scientific evidence is insufficient to establish a direct connection between this additive and cancer in humans.
Who is most at risk from Red No. 3?
Experts and food safety advocates suggest that, while it may pose a risk to people of any age, young children are likely the most susceptible to this dye.
What foods contain Red No. 3?
There are over 2,900 food products that contain this ingredient. It can be found in a wide variety of candies, particularly those with artificial flavors and colors, as well as gummy candies, mint candies, and corn candies.
Additionally, it is present in many other foods and beverages, such as Wise onion rings, Morningstar Farms vegetarian bacon, and even strawberry flavors in products like Nesquik, Ensure, Yoo-hoo, and Pediasure.
Some of the foods in which this dye has been detected include the following:
- Juice
- Yogurt
- Cookies
- Soft candies and gummies
- Soda
- Some fruit cocktails
- Protein shakes
- Frozen dairy desserts
- Baby food
- Popsicles
- Sausages
- Toaster pastries
- Puddings
- Vegetarian meats
- Strawberry ice cream bars
How can you avoid consuming Red No. 3?
The FDA requires manufacturers to list Red No. 3 in the ingredients list of food products. Therefore, you can check this list to identify which products contain this dye and know which ones to avoid.
Who regulates Red No. 3?
Although Red No. 3 has been banned in cosmetics in the United States since 1990, it is still allowed in food products. This dye is one of the nine synthetic dyes approved for use in the country.
The FDA has two specific regulations for the use of Red No. 3: one for food and one for ingested medications, which detail in which products it can be used, the maximum allowable amounts, and how food dyes must be labeled on product packaging.
Artificial food dyes used in food
The following dyes are approved for use in food by both the EFSA and the FDA:
- Red No. 3 (Erythrosine): commonly used in candies, lollipops, and cake decorating gels.
- Red No. 40 (Allura Red): used in candies, sports drinks, condiments, and cereals.
- Yellow No. 5 (Tartrazine): found in candies, sodas, potato chips, popcorn, and cereals.
- Yellow No. 6 (Sunset Yellow): present in candies, sauces, baked goods, and canned fruits.
- Blue No. 1 (Brilliant Blue): used in canned peas, packaged soups, ice cream, popsicles, and glazes.
- Blue No. 2 (Indigo Carmine): found in cereals, candies, snacks, and ice cream.
