FDA bans Red Dye 3 in foods due to its link to cancer in rats

 FDA bans Red Dye 3 in foods due to its link to cancer in rats

On March 23, 2009, jars of Maraschino cherries were photographed at a production facility in Brooklyn. On January 15, 2025, the Food and Drug Administration officially banned the use of Red Dye No. 3 in food, beverages, and drugs, more than 30 years after the synthetic coloring was initially linked to cancer in male laboratory rats. (Photo by Richard Perry/The New York Times)

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has officially banned the use of Red Dye No. 3 in food, beverages, and drugs, over thirty years after the synthetic additive was first found to cause cancer in male laboratory rats. This dye, derived from petroleum, has long been used to create the vibrant cherry red color found in many candies, sodas, and other products. Critics have deemed this decision overdue, especially since the FDA banned the chemical in cosmetics and topical drugs back in 1990.

Federal regulations prohibit the approval of food additives that are shown to cause cancer in humans or animals. The ban on Red Dye No. 3 will take effect in 2027, giving companies a timeline to remove the dye from their products. This prohibition will also apply to imported foods sold in the United States. While the dye is still commonly used, many manufacturers have already begun transitioning to alternative colorings. This shift gained momentum after California’s 2023 legislation banning Red Dye No. 3 along with three other harmful food additives. The dye has also raised concerns about potential health risks for children.

Consumer advocacy groups celebrated the FDA’s decision. Melanie Benesh, vice president for government affairs at the Environmental Working Group, referred to the ban as "wonderful news" and emphasized that Red Dye No. 3 represents a straightforward issue in the broader conversation about toxic food dyes.

Despite these concerns, the FDA downplayed potential risks to humans, citing a lack of evidence linking the dye to cancer in animal studies beyond male rats. Jim Jones, the FDA’s deputy commissioner for human foods, stated that the agency’s decision was not driven by claims of imminent human risk.

The Consumer Brands Association has confirmed that food and beverage companies will comply with the ruling. However, the International Association of Color Manufacturers expressed disagreement, asserting that no credible safety issues have been demonstrated for Red Dye No. 3 in food products.

First approved for food use in 1907, Red Dye No. 3 was prohibited in cosmetics in 1990. The dye is already banned for food use in Europe, Australia, and New Zealand, though exceptions remain, such as its allowance in maraschino cherries.