The FDA has banned Red No. 3, a synthetic dye used to give food and drinks a bright red hue, citing concerns about its potential link to cancer. The ban, announced Wednesday, also applies to ingested drugs, with manufacturers required to phase out the additive by 2027 for food and 2028 for drugs.
Red No. 3, commonly found in candies and desserts, was previously banned in cosmetics in 1990. Although studies suggest the dye’s cancer risk is limited to high-dose lab tests in rats, consumer advocacy prompted the FDA’s decision. Similar bans exist in the EU and Australia, and several U.S. states are introducing restrictions.
This move aligns with growing global and domestic scrutiny of artificial food dyes, encouraging safer food manufacturing practices.
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