Red No. 3 Artificial Coloring Is Finally Banned In Food

The FDA is finally banning Red No. 3 from the American food supply.

The synthetic red dye gives everything from candies to fruit cocktail cherries their unnaturally bright red hue and has been linked to cancer in animals. It’s taken years of petitions and advocacy for the FDA to ban the artificial color. 

First approved for food use back in 1907, Red No. 3 is made from petroleum. It’s found in many children’s snacks, including candies, cereals, and even strawberry-flavored drinks. But in the 1980s, studies revealed that male rats exposed to high doses of Red No. 3 developed tumors. Fast forward to today, and the FDA finally agrees it’s time to cut this dye from our diets.

"The FDA cannot authorize a food additive or color additive if it has been found to cause cancer in humans or animals," said Jim Jones, the FDA's deputy director for human foods. And while it’s great to finally see some action, it’s hard not to ask: What took so long?

Dr. Peter Lurie, president of the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), said in a statement, “At long last, the FDA is ending the regulatory paradox of Red 3 being illegal for use in lipstick, but perfectly legal to feed to children in the form of candy.” For whatever reason, the FDA has been more concerned about what goes on our lips than what goes into our kids' stomachs. 

There’s evidence suggesting artificial dyes like Red No. 3 can impact children’s behavior. Even the FDA reviewed this connection back in 2011, though they concluded the evidence wasn’t strong enough to confirm a causal link. Still, parents and advocacy groups haven’t stopped sounding the alarm about the potential effects of these additives.

While Red No. 3 is getting the boot, it’s only one of nine synthetic dyes currently approved by the FDA. Melanie Benesh of the Environmental Working Group calls this move “a big win for consumers,” but she’s also urging federal regulators to take a closer look at the other artificial dyes still lurking in our food. "This is certainly an important positive step forward," Benesh said, adding that there’s still work to be done.

Red No. 3 has already been banned or heavily restricted in places like the European Union, Australia, and Japan. Meanwhile, the U.S. has been dragging its feet, leaving Americans exposed to additives other countries deemed unsafe years ago.  

Unfortunately, it may be too soon for celebration – Red No. 3 is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to questionable ingredients in ultra-processed foods. High fructose corn syrup and seed oils, for example, are major players. Studies have linked diets high in high fructose corn syrup to obesity, increased triglycerides, and other health issues. And then there’s a laundry list of preservatives and chemicals like propylparaben, BHA, and TBHQ, which can mess with hormones, fertility, and immune systems.

The FDA’s decision gives food manufacturers until January 2027 to phase out Red No. 3. That’s three years for companies to reformulate their products – and you can bet they’ll still try to sell you something equally bright and sugary. As consumers, we can push for more transparency and better regulations. Advocacy groups like CSPI are proof that collective action works.

In the meantime, keep an eye on ingredient lists and consider cutting back on processed foods where you can. Small changes can add up, and when enough people demand safer, healthier options, companies will have to listen. This ban is a win, no doubt about it. But let’s not stop here. If we can finally get Red No. 3 out of our food, what’s stopping us from tackling the next harmful additive on the list?

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