FDA Bans Red Dye No. 3 in Food, Drugs Over Cancer Risks

The FDA has officially banned the use of Red Dye 3, also known as erythrosine, in food and ingested drugs due to evidence linking it to cancer in laboratory animals. Manufacturers are required to reformulate their products by January 15, 2027, for food and by January 18, 2028, for drugs. The decision comes after years of pressure from consumer advocacy groups and follows a 2022 petition highlighting the dye's safety concerns. Although studies in humans and other animals have not shown the same risks, the FDA emphasized it cannot approve any additive found to cause cancer. The National Confectioners Association expressed its commitment to food safety and compliance with FDA regulations. This ban aligns the U.S. with strict international standards, as the dye has already been prohibited in the European Union and several other countries.