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The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) hasbannedthe use ofRed No.
3, a food dye that had been linked to thyroid cancer in rats over three decades ago.
3, also known as FD&C Red No.
dehooks / Getty Images
3 and erythrosine, is used to dye food and drinks in a bright cherry-red color.
Manufacturers who use Red No.
3 in food will have until Jan. 15, 2027, to reformulate their products.
Those who use the dye in ingested drugs will have until Jan. 18, 2028, to do so.
The primary purpose of food dyes is to make candy, drinks, and other processed foods more attractive.
When the function is purely aesthetic, why accept any cancer risk?
Heres what you should know about Red No.
3 and its use in food and medications.
What Foods Use Red No.
Here are some products that might contain the dye:
You may still find food products with Red No.
3 if you want to avoid the dye.
Should You Avoid Synthetic Food Dyes?
3 isnt the only synthetic food dye that has been linked to health issues.
Although many manufacturers have replaced Red No.
3 with natural food coloring, some have switched toRed 40, which has beenlinked to ADHD in children.
However, it might be impossible to avoid all food dyes in your diet.
A nutritious diet will be low in dyes regardless.
3 will be phased out of U.S. food, drinks, and oral medications in the next few years.
Food and Drug Administration.FD&C Red No.
2024;21(6):682. doi:10.3390/ijerph21060682
