The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced the ban on Red Dye No. 3 on Wednesday, January 15th.
Several popular brands that sell foods containing FD&C Red No. 3 must reformulate their products or completely discontinue sales by January 15, 2027 or January 18, 2028, respectively. be.
The ban follows a color additive petition filed in 2022 that bans the use of red dyes in food and ingested drugs.
The Delaney Provision, enacted in 1960 as part of the Color Additives Amendments to the FD&C Act, states that FDA prohibits the use of food additives or color additives if they have the potential to cause cancer in humans or animals. may be prohibited. In the case of Red 3, two research studies showed that male rats exposed to high levels of Red 3 developed cancer.
Other studies have shown that the dye caused cancer in male rats, but similarly not in humans or other animals. Therefore, according to the FDA, “claims that the use of FD&C Red No. 3 in food and oral drugs puts people at risk are not supported by available scientific information.”
After many brands switched to Red 40, it is no longer common for most foods to contain Red 3. However, there are still some popular foods that incorporate Red 3 in their ingredients.
These include popular brands that sell certain candies, cakes, cupcakes, cookies, frozen desserts, frostings, icings, and certain ingestible drugs that produce a bright cherry red hue.
Red No. 3 dye prohibited
Here are eight foods made with Red 3 that must be reformulated to comply with the ban.
Nestlé Nesquik low fat strawberry milkCarlos’ Hoboken Bakeshop Red Velvet CakePillsbury Funfetti Hot Pink Vanilla FrostingBrach’s Classic Candy CornBadia spice seasoning mix imitation bacon bitsPEZGood Humor Strawberry Shortcake Bardouble bubble gum
Learn more about the Red 3 ban here.
Our journalism depends on your support. Subscribe to NJ.com today.
Victoria Rosenthal can be reached at vrosenthal@njadvancemedia.com. Any tips? Let us know at nj.com/tips.
