The FDA has banned Red Dye No. 3 from food and medicine due to cancer risks, following years of advocacy.

The decision came after a petition from health advocates who were really pushing for this change. They argued that this dye, which gives candies and snacks that bright red color, shouldn’t be in our food. The FDA agreed, citing studies that showed it caused cancer in lab rats.
Now, manufacturers have until January 2027 to phase it out of food products and until January 2028 for medicines. Other countries still allow it in some cases, but any food coming into the U.S. will have to follow this new rule.
Consumer advocates are pretty happy about this. They’ve been saying for years that it’s unfair to ban Red 3 in cosmetics but allow it in food. It’s about time, right?
There’s still some uncertainty about whether food companies will challenge this ban in court. The FDA’s head mentioned that if they don’t have solid evidence, they could lose.
Interestingly, Red 3 was already banned in cosmetics back in 1990, but it was still allowed in food. Health advocates have been asking the FDA to reconsider that for a long time.
Lawmakers even got involved, stressing that kids consume more of this dye than adults, so it’s crucial to protect them. They argued that there’s no good reason to have a carcinogen in our food just for a pop of color.
In other parts of the world, like Europe and Australia, Red 3 is mostly banned too, except for some cherries. California is also set to ban it starting in 2027.
Some manufacturers are already switching to safer alternatives like beet juice and natural pigments from veggies. It’s a step in the right direction for food safety!