FDA Bans Red Dye No. 3 Amid Scrutiny

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has banned the use of Red Dye No. 3 in food and drugs due to its cancer-causing effects in rats, with compliance deadlines set for January 2027 for food and January 2028 for drugs. While companies like Keurig Dr Pepper and Ferrara Candy are reformulating products to exclude the dye, the ban has sparked discussions on food safety and synthetic dyes, with some opting for alternatives like Red Dye No. 40. Concurrently, the FDA faces scrutiny over its drug approval process, spurred by the controversial approval of Biogen's Alzheimer's drug Aduhelm. An HHS inspector general's report highlighted issues with three out of 24 drug approvals, leading to demands for better documentation and oversight. This regulatory move is seen as a victory for consumer advocacy groups and may lead to further examination of artificial dyes in the U.S.