FDA Bans Red Dye 3 After Cancer Concerns: What You Need to Know

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has made a big move this week by banning Red Dye 3, also known as erythrosine, in food, drinks, and medicine. This decision comes after studies revealed that the bright red colorant caused cancer in rats.

On Wednesday, the FDA officially banned the dye, responding to a petition submitted by consumer advocacy groups back in 2022. These groups had already pushed for the ban on the dye, which had been prohibited in cosmetics 35 years ago. The move was made under the Delaney Clause, a law that mandates the FDA to ban any substance that causes cancer in animals or humans.

Red Dye 3, which has been used for years to give candy, cough syrups, and even certain medications a cherry red color, has already been banned in Europe, Australia, and New Zealand for food use, though some Maraschino cherries are still allowed due to their limited exposure.

The FDA’s decision comes after several consumer organizations and scientists pushed for a ban in 2022, and was supported by multiple members of Congress in 2024. Despite all this, the dye was still found in popular U.S. snacks and treats, like Betty Crocker’s Red Decorating Icing and Brach’s Candy Corn.

In a statement, the FDA explained that they were taking action to “remove the authorization for the use of FD&C Red No. 3 in food and ingested drugs.” The FDA acknowledged that while the dye caused cancer in lab rats, the specific way it affected rats doesn’t apply to humans. However, they stuck with the ban because of the Delaney Clause, which prohibits FDA approval for any additive shown to cause cancer in either humans or animals.

Manufacturers using the dye in food have until January 15, 2027, to reformulate their products, while drug makers have until January 18, 2028.

The Center for Science in the Public Interest, which pushed the 2022 petition, applauded the FDA’s decision, calling it a much-needed step to address a “decades-long regulatory failure.” Meanwhile, the National Confectioners Association, representing the $48 billion U.S. candy industry, expressed their commitment to complying with the FDA’s guidance on food safety.

Some critics, including the International Association of Color Manufacturers, argue that the high concentrations of Red 3 used in animal studies do not directly translate to the levels humans are exposed to. They believe that science has evolved and high concentrations in rats don’t necessarily reflect similar risks to humans.

This move follows the growing health conversations in the U.S., including from figures like Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has called for a wider ban on food additives. However, his controversial views on seed oils have faced significant backlash from experts. Despite the ongoing debate, it’s clear that Red Dye 3 is now officially off the menu.