FDA Takes Historic Step to Remove Red 3 from Food Supply
In a significant move to enhance food safety, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has officially announced the ban of Red 3 (erythrosine) from the nation’s food supply. This decisive action comes nearly 35 years after the same dye was prohibited from use in cosmetics due to potential cancer risks.
The FDA’s decision, announced on Wednesday, responds to a compelling 2022 petition submitted by two dozen food safety and health advocacy groups. This bright red coloring agent, commonly found in candies, snack cakes, and maraschino cherries, will soon disappear from American food products.
Scientific Basis and Legal Framework
The ban stems from laboratory studies showing cancer development in male rats exposed to high levels of Red 3. Jim Jones, the FDA’s deputy commissioner for human foods, explained that while the cancer-causing mechanism observed in rats doesn’t occur in humans, the agency must act under the Delaney Clause – a statute requiring the FDA to ban any additive linked to cancer in either humans or animals.
Implementation Timeline and Industry Impact
Food manufacturers have until January 2027 to reformulate their products, while pharmaceutical companies producing ingested medications have until January 2028 to comply. This timeline allows industries to transition to alternative colorants, including natural options like beet juice, carmine, and pigments derived from purple sweet potato, radish, and red cabbage.
International Context and Industry Response
While Red 3 remains permitted in certain applications internationally, imported foods must now meet the new U.S. requirements. The International Association of Color Manufacturers maintains the dye’s safety at typical consumption levels, citing UN and WHO scientific committee findings, including a 2018 review affirming Red 3’s food safety.
Consumer Protection and Future Implications
Dr. Peter Lurie, director of the Center for Science in the Public Interest, welcomed the decision, noting it eliminates the “unsustainable double standard” where Red 3 was banned in lipstick but allowed in candy. This regulatory action aligns with similar bans in Europe, Australia, and New Zealand, and precedes California’s upcoming state-level prohibition starting January 2027.