Red Dye #3 became a joke. We'll have to find a new one.
It wasn't allowed in cosmetics, but babies could have it in candy. A "welcome, but long overdue" action from the FDA removes Red 3 from food by 2027 and drugs by 2028.
In 1990, the FDA declined to allow Red 3 to be used in cosmetics or topical drugs, but continued to let it be used in candy, food and drugs. Since the research that showed it caused cancer in rats was without human application, the FDA wouldn’t allow it in lipstick but kept in place uses already allowed for the bright red color it gave candy, drinks and food. It’s not too difficult to imagine the lobbies that fought not allowing it.
Click here for a list of common foods and beverages that include Red 3, and check the label for “erythrosine” or “FD&C Red No. 3.”
The best research compares the results of giving something to one group but not another. The problem with that in human research is the potential harm done to one of the two study groups—from either getting something that might be dangerous, or not getting something that could help or cure. The same issue is holding back proactive research about raw milk, fluoride, and much more in our lives…so here we are. The Red 3 carcinogen research was so widely known, you’ve probably been around when someone held a maraschino cherry on high, daring Red Dye #3 to harm them, most often at a party.
About two-thirds of Americans favor restricting or reformulating processed foods to remove ingredients like added sugar or dyes, and Red 3 is already banned in Europe, Australia and New Zealand (except for some…cherries). One has to wonder if the controversial nomination of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. to head HHS may have some regulators rethinking long-held resistance to old practices, for better or worse.
Whatever the ultimate reason, the FDA has finally acted, and food manufacturers will have until January 2027 to remove the dye from their products, while makers of ingested drugs have until January 2028 to do the same. Read more here.