When Must Red Dye No. 3 Be Removed from US Foods After FDA Ban?
What is Red No. 3?
Red No. 3, also known as erythrosine, FD&C Red No. 3, or Red 3, is a color additive made from petroleum that gives foods and drinks a bright cherry-red color. The dye is known for its vibrant hue, which is used to color a variety of products, including candies, snack cakes, and maraschino cherries.
What Did the FDA Rule?
The FDA granted a 2022 petition filed by two dozen food safety and health advocates, who urged the agency to revoke authorization for the substance. The ban removes Red 3 from the list of approved color additives in foods, dietary supplements, and oral medicines, such as cough syrups.
Why Is It Banned?
The agency took the action as a “matter of law” because some studies have found that the dye caused cancer in lab rats. Officials cited a statute known as the Delaney Clause, which requires FDA to ban any additive found to cause cancer in people or animals.
Which Foods Have Red 3 in Them?
According to the Center for Science in the Public Interest, a search of the US Department of Agriculture’s Branded Foods Database at FoodData Central identified 9,201 US food products that contain Red 3. The dye is found in a variety of things, including soda, juice, candy, pastries, maraschino cherries, and more.
When Must Red Dye No. 3 Be Removed from US Foods?
Under the ruling, food manufacturers will have until January 2027 to remove the dye from their products, while makers of ingested drugs have until January 2028 to do the same.
Timeline for Removal
* Food manufacturers: January 2027
* Makers of ingested drugs: January 2028
Conclusion
The FDA’s decision to ban Red No. 3 is a significant step towards ensuring the safety of food and drug products in the United States. While some argue that the dye is safe in levels typically consumed by humans, the agency’s ruling is based on evidence that shows the dye caused cancer in lab rats. Food manufacturers will have until January 2027 to remove the dye from their products, while makers of ingested drugs will have until January 2028.
FAQs
Q: What is Red No. 3?
A: Red No. 3 is a color additive made from petroleum that gives foods and drinks a bright cherry-red color.
Q: Why is Red No. 3 being banned?
A: The agency took the action as a “matter of law” because some studies have found that the dye caused cancer in lab rats.
Q: Which foods have Red 3 in them?
A: According to the Center for Science in the Public Interest, a search of the US Department of Agriculture’s Branded Foods Database at FoodData Central identified 9,201 US food products that contain Red 3.
Q: When must Red Dye No. 3 be removed from US foods?
A: Under the ruling, food manufacturers will have until January 2027 to remove the dye from their products, while makers of ingested drugs have until January 2028 to do the same.
