The Food and Drug Administration has finally banned the use of red dye No. 3 in food and ingested drugs, more than 30 years after it was discovered to cause cancer in rats. This decision comes after years of advocacy and a petition filed in 2022 urging the FDA to remove the additive from its list of safe color additives.
The ban on red dye No. 3 is seen as a significant victory for consumer health and safety by advocates like Ken Cook, president of the Environmental Working Group. The ban sends a clear message that protecting the health of Americans, especially vulnerable children, should always take precedence over the interests of the food industry.
Criticism of the FDA’s slow action against harmful additives has been mounting, with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and others calling out the agency for its delays. The ban on red dye No. 3 comes just before the transition to a new administration, raising hopes that further action will be taken to address food safety issues.
Additives like red dye No. 3 are used by food companies to enhance color, texture, and durability. The Delaney Clause in the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act prohibits the authorization of additives that have been linked to cancer in humans or animals. While the FDA acknowledged that red dye No. 3 falls under this category, it clarified that the mechanism by which it causes cancer in male rats does not apply to humans.
Food manufacturers and drug makers have been given a timeline until January 2027 and 2028 respectively to remove red dye No. 3 from their products. Industry groups like the Consumer Brands Association have expressed support for the FDA’s decision, emphasizing the importance of following safety regulations and ensuring consumer choices remain safe.
The ban on red dye No. 3 follows a study from the early 1980s that showed a link between the additive and thyroid tumors in rats. Despite the ban on certain products containing the dye in 1990, it continued to be used in most foods until now. California took action last year by banning red dye and other additives, citing concerns about their impact on children’s health.
Pressure from activists and states pushing for their own regulations on additives has pushed the FDA to act more decisively. In September, the FDA outlined a plan to evaluate the safety of chemicals in food more comprehensively, but faced budget constraints that could slow progress. Despite these challenges, the FDA is committed to prioritizing consumer safety and will continue to work towards ensuring the safety of food additives.
