The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has made a groundbreaking decision: Red Dye No. 3, also known as Erythrosine, is officially banned from foods, dietary supplements, and ingested medicines. The announcement, reported by The Associated Press, marks a significant move in food safety regulation.
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What Does the Ban Cover?
Food manufacturers have until January 2027 to eliminate the dye from their products. Drug manufacturers are given an extra year, with a deadline of January 2028. Imported goods will also be held to the same standard, ensuring compliance across all consumable items.
What Is Red 3 and Why Is It Banned?
Red 3 is a synthetic dye derived from petroleum, often used to give foods, medicines, and supplements their bright cherry-red hue. The FDA’s decision stems from evidence that the dye caused cancer in male lab rats exposed to high doses. While the FDA clarified that the way Red 3 causes cancer in rats doesn’t apply to humans, the Delaney Clause—a regulation that bars any additive linked to cancer in humans or animals—necessitated the ban.
A History of Controversy
Red 3’s risks are not a new concern. The dye was removed from cosmetics nearly 35 years ago due to similar cancer fears. However, it remained in foods and ingested medications, raising questions about a regulatory double standard. Advocacy groups have long called for the dye’s removal, labeling its continued use as contradictory and unsafe.
Petition for Change
The move to ban Red 3 gained momentum after a 2022 petition led by the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), supported by 23 other organizations and scientists. “This is a welcome, but long overdue, action from the FDA: removing the unsustainable double standard in which Red 3 was banned from lipstick but permitted in candy,” said Dr. Peter Lurie, CSPI’s director.
The Impact on Food and Medicine
The dye is used in nearly 3,000 food items, according to the Environmental Working Group’s Food Scores database. From gummies to syrups, manufacturers now face a ticking clock to reformulate their products.
What’s Next?
This landmark decision is expected to have significant implications for the food and drug industries. While compliance deadlines may seem far off, the push to eliminate harmful additives is already creating waves in consumer safety and public health.
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