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Photo: Ilija Erceg/Getty ImagesBig changes are coming to some of your favorite drinks and snack foods. The FDA has announced an official ban on Red No. 3, a synthetic dye previously prohibited in cosmetics due to cancer risks, and now banned in food products and ingestible drugs. This decision follows a 2022 petition from food safety advocates calling for the ban of FD&C Red No. 3, citing its potential health risks.
Although the FDA acknowledged that two studies found cancer in male lab rats exposed to high levels of FD&C Red No. 3, it clarified that the type of cancer observed in rats does not translate to humans. The agency also emphasized that human exposure levels to the dye are typically far lower than those that caused adverse effects in rats, with additional studies in other animals and humans not showing the same harmful outcomes.
Red No. 3 is now being banned in food and ingestible drugs due to the Delaney Clause, which prohibits the FDA from authorizing any food or color additive found to cause cancer in humans or animals. Red No. 3 has already been banned in food in Europe, Australia, and New Zealand, with the exception of certain cherry varieties.
According to the FDA's announcement, food manufacturers using Red No. 3 have until January 15, 2027, to phase it out of their products, while those producing ingested drugs must eliminate it by January 18, 2028. Furthermore, although Red No. 3 remains legal in some countries, all imported food to the U.S. must be free of it by January 2027.
What does this mean for the food and medications you consume? Read on to learn more.
What Is Red No. 3?
Red No. 3, a synthetic food dye found on some nutrition labels, imparts a bright cherry-red hue to foods and beverages. It is similar, but not identical to, Red No. 40—a darker red dye commonly used in sports drinks, candy, condiments, and cereals.
The FDA notes that Red No. 3 is less commonly used in food and drugs compared to other approved colors, but it can still be found in certain products like candy, cakes, cupcakes, cookies, frozen desserts, and frostings. Red No. 3 is also present in some medications, including gabapentin and certain cough syrups.
“Today’s action by the FDA represents a major victory for consumer health and safety,” said Ken Cook, president and cofounder of the Environmental Working Group, in a statement. “For years, Red No. 3 continued to appear in food products despite mounting evidence linking it to health issues, especially in children.”
Foods and Household Items Containing Red No. 3
As previously mentioned, Red No. 3 can be found in a wide range of foods, snacks, vitamins, and medications. According to the Center for Science in the Public Interest and Newsweek, here are some products that contain Red No. 3:
- Candy corn
- Hot Tamales (certain varieties)
- PEZ
- Fruit by the Foot
- Ring Pop (specific flavors)
- Dubble Bubble gum
- Jelly Belly candies
- Conversation heart candies
- Maraschino cherries (certain varieties)
- Canned fruit varieties
- Toaster pastries
- Entenmann's Little Bites Party Cake Mini Muffins
- Strawberry-flavored milk
- Ice pops and frozen fruit bars (some types)
- Some cough syrups
- Some ice cream and frozen yogurt flavors
- Some gummy vitamins
- Some sodas and fruit beverages
As always, make sure to check the ingredient list to confirm whether Red No. 3 is included in any of the foods you intend to consume.
