Red Dye No. 3 Ban: What It Means for Foods, Families, and Your Health
Spot hidden food dyes and switch to natural colorants for greater confidence.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has officially revoked the use of Red Dye No. 3 in all foods and ingested drugs, marking a significant shift in how food colors are regulated in the United States. This move aligns the U.S. with global regions such as the European Union, Australia, and New Zealand, where this synthetic color additive has long been banned. But what exactly is Red Dye No. 3, why was it banned, and what does this mean for your grocery cart? Here’s what consumers need to know about the ban, the health science behind it, and how to make safer choices moving forward.
What Is Red Dye No. 3?
Red Dye No. 3 (also referred to as erythrosine, FD&C Red No. 3, or Red 3) is a synthetic food coloring agent derived from petroleum. It is widely used to produce vibrant cherry-red and pink colors in a variety of products, including foods, beverages, dietary supplements, and certain medications.
All color additives in U.S. foods require FDA approval. Red Dye No. 3 was first approved after safety evaluations in the 1960s. However, its use has been mired in controversy for decades. In 1990, the FDA banned it in cosmetics and topical drugs under the Delaney Clause, due to evidence linking the additive to cancer in lab animals. The Delaney Clause prohibits approval of any food additive found to cause cancer in humans or animals at any dose.
Despite the ban in lotions and creams, the dye continued to be used in food products until 2025, largely because it had been previously approved based on the “realistic” exposure levels anticipated in human diets. Recent petitions from food safety advocacy groups and mounting consumer pressure prompted the FDA to revisit and ultimately revoke food uses for Red Dye No. 3.
Why Did the FDA Ban Red Dye No. 3?
- Cancer Risk in Animals: Scientific studies have shown that Red Dye No. 3 can cause thyroid tumors in rats and other animals exposed to high concentrations.
- Regulatory Inconsistency: The dye’s ban in topical products since 1990 raised questions about why consumers could still ingest it in food.
- Global Alignments: Many countries—including all of the European Union, Australia, and New Zealand—had already restricted or banned the dye in food for similar reasons.
- Public Advocacy: Food safety organizations and health advocates petitioned the FDA to remove Red Dye No. 3 from foods, citing health concerns and outdated safety assessments.
As a result of the ban, manufacturers must remove Red Dye No. 3 from foods, beverages, and ingested drugs in products sold in the U.S. after a reformulation period ending in January 2027.
Foods Containing Red Dye No. 3
Red Dye No. 3 is found in a surprisingly wide array of foods and drinks, particularly in products marketed toward children. Although some manufacturers have already shifted to other artificial colorings like Red Dye No. 40, many products on store shelves still contain Red Dye No. 3.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), thousands of food products contained Red Dye No. 3 as recently as 2022. Common types include:
- Sprinkles
- Cake and cookie icings
- Baking mixes
- Breakfast cereals
- Berry- and cherry-flavored candies
- Red and pink chewing gum or mints
- Strawberry milk
- Peppermint candies
- Fruit-flavored sodas
- Fruit cocktail and maraschino cherries
- Cookies, processed biscuits, and some baking snacks
- Smoked sausages, bacon, and other processed meats
- Ice cream and frozen yogurt treats
- Gelatins and fruit snacks
- Some fruit and vegetable juices and juice mixes
- Seasoning mixes and marinades
Additionally, Red Dye No. 3 is used in ingested medications and dietary supplements—not just foods. It is often an ingredient in the coating or color of pills, chewables, and drops formulated for children.
How to Check If a Product Contains Red Dye No. 3
- Look for ingredient names such as “Red No. 3”, “FD&C Red 3”, “Red Dye 3”, or “Erythrosine”.
- Read ingredient lists on both packaged foods and supplements. When in doubt, opt for brands that openly disclose color additive sources.
Red Dye No. 3 and Its Health Risks
The main concern driving the ban of Red Dye No. 3 is a well-documented risk of cancer in animal studies—especially thyroid tumors in laboratory rats. While direct links between Red Dye No. 3 and cancer in humans have not been firmly established, many scientists and regulators support the “precautionary principle” due to limitations in available data and the historical precedent set by similar bans in cosmetics and personal care items.
Other potential health risks associated with synthetic food colors like Red Dye No. 3 include:
- Behavioral effects in children: Some research links artificial food dyes to hyperactivity or attention issues in sensitive children, although scientific consensus is mixed.
- Allergic reactions: Rare but possible, especially in people sensitive to food additives.
How Does the Ban Affect Other Food Dyes?
Red Dye No. 40 is still legal and widely used as a red colorant in the United States. However, scrutiny continues to mount as researchers assess the safety of all synthetic food colorings. For now, only Red Dye No. 3 is subject to this FDA ban.
Timeline and Implementation of the Red Dye No. 3 Ban
On January 15, 2025, the FDA ordered the withdrawal of Red Dye No. 3 from use in foods and ingested medications. Key details about the rollout include:
- Manufacturers have until January 15, 2027 to reformulate products and ensure compliance.
- California’s state law bans sale of foods with Red Dye No. 3 starting in 2027, putting extra pressure on national brands.
- After full implementation, it will be illegal to sell foods or supplements containing Red Dye No. 3 in the U.S.
How Will the Ban Affect Common Foods and Brands?
While many large manufacturers began reducing or removing Red Dye No. 3 from their products in anticipation of regulatory actions, there are still thousands of products on the market affected by the ban. These products tend to be:
- Ultra-processed foods and drinks
- Candies popular with children (e.g., gumdrops, chewy candies)
- Decorative baking ingredients (sprinkles, colored icings, cake decorations)
- Children’s breakfast cereals with pink or red pieces
- Desserts like fruit gels, marshmallows, and popsicles
| Category | Common Products |
|---|---|
| Candy & Gummies | Gumdrops, cherry candies, jelly beans, licorice |
| Baking Supplies | Sprinkles, icings, colored frosting mixes |
| Breakfast Foods | Fruit-flavored cereal, strawberry milk |
| Desserts | Fruit gels, maraschino cherries, ice cream toppings |
| Meats | Smoked sausage, bacon, some deli meats |
| Supplements | Gummy vitamins, chewable medications |
If you’re concerned about your risk, it is important to carefully check product labels—especially if you frequently buy processed foods, candies, or vitamins for children.
Expert Insights: What Parents and Consumers Should Know
Nutrition and food safety experts recommend a proactive approach to food dyes. Here’s what leading authorities suggest:
- Read Labels Carefully: Check for Red Dye No. 3 and related names (Red 3, Red No. 3, erythrosine) in the ingredients. Many manufacturers are updating formulas, so double-check even familiar brands.
- Limit Processed Foods: Foods that are heavily processed are more likely to contain a variety of artificial colorings.
- Opt for Naturally Colored Products: Choose foods colored with ingredients like beet juice, carrot extract, or paprika instead of synthetic dyes.
- Encourage a Whole-Foods Diet: Prioritize minimally processed fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and proteins for better overall health and lower exposure to food additives.
- Don’t Panic—But Be Informed: The overall risk from limited, occasional exposure to Red Dye No. 3 appears to be low, but vigilance is still advisable, especially for children.
Global Perspective: How Other Countries Address Red Dye No. 3
The United States was relatively late in banning Red Dye No. 3 from foods when compared to much of the developed world. For decades, countries across Europe, Australia, and New Zealand have restricted or prohibited the dye for use in food. In some cases, international regulations require warning labels for products containing certain synthetic dyes.
International experience shows that many food manufacturers have already discovered effective alternatives for achieving the same bright colors without synthetic dyes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Which foods are most likely to contain Red Dye No. 3?
A: Red Dye No. 3 is most common in brightly colored candies, sprinkles, cake and cookie decorations, cereals with red pieces, maraschino cherries, and pink or red drinks. It is also found in some supplements and medicines, especially those intended for children.
Q: Has Red Dye No. 3 already been removed from foods?
A: Many companies began reformulating products before the FDA’s ban became official, but thousands of products remaining on shelves in 2025 still contained Red Dye No. 3, particularly in candies and baking ingredients.
Q: What about Red Dye No. 40 and other artificial colorings?
A: Currently, Red Dye No. 40 and other synthetic colors remain legal for use in U.S. foods, but ongoing public scrutiny means their safety may be re-evaluated in the future.
Q: Are there safe alternatives to Red Dye No. 3?
A: Yes. Natural colorants like beet juice, carrot extract, annatto, and paprika offer vibrant shades and do not carry the same cancer risk concerns.
Q: What should families do if their child consumes foods with Red Dye No. 3?
A: Occasional consumption is unlikely to pose an immediate health threat, but the consensus among experts is to gradually reduce intake. Focus on whole, minimally processed foods for best long-term health.
How to Make Healthier, Dye-Free Choices
- Check ingredient lists for Red Dye No. 3 and choose products with natural coloring agents.
- Encourage a colorful diet through the use of naturally vivid fruits and vegetables like strawberries, raspberries, carrots, and beets.
- If your favorite food or treat contains Red Dye No. 3, look for alternatives or DIY recipes using fruit and vegetable juices for coloring.
- Contact manufacturers and ask about their plans to remove synthetic dyes from products.
As awareness grows and regulations catch up, expect to see more food manufacturers switching to naturally sourced colorings—making dye-free living easier than ever.
Expert consultants for this article include Stefani Sassos, MS, RDN, CDN, director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Nutrition Lab; Jaclyn Bowen, MPH, MS, executive director of Clean Label Project; and Vanessa Rissetto, RD, co-founder of Culina Health.
References
- https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/health/diet-nutrition/a63434985/red-dye-3-ban-foods-products/
- https://www.heraldtribune.com/story/news/2025/01/16/fda-bans-red-dye-3-cancer-foods-drinks-florida/77740121007/
- https://www.gococo.app/post/red-dye-3-food-list
- https://www.fda.gov/industry/color-additives/fdc-red-no-3
- https://www.fda.gov/food/hfp-constituent-updates/fda-revoke-authorization-use-red-no-3-food-and-ingested-drugs
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4g2zPJ7jhw
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