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.
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.
