FDA bans Red Dye No. 3 – Is your favorite snack on the list? Find out here
US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has banned the use of Red Dye No. 3 in food, beverages, and ingested medications. The synthetic colourant, also known as erythrosine, has been linked to cancer in animal studies, a connection that has prompted concern from public health advocates for over 30 years. The FDA’s decision follows increasing pressure from health organisations and a petition filed in November 2022 by multiple groups, including the Centre for Science in the Public Interest and the Environmental Working Group.
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What is the Campaign Against Red Dye No. 3
The controversy surrounding Red Dye No. 3 began more than three decades ago when studies found links between the dye and cancer in laboratory animals. Despite these findings, the dye continued to be used in food products and medications, as there was no direct evidence linking it to cancer in humans. The FDA initially banned the additive in cosmetics and topical drugs in 1990 after animal studies showed high doses caused cancer in rats. However, it remained permitted for use in food, leading to a regulatory paradox.
Advocacy groups, such as the Centre for Science in the Public Interest, have long called for a ban on Red Dye No. 3 in food products, citing the potential health risks. Their efforts, coupled with recent developments in California, where the dye was banned in 2023, have finally led to the FDA’s decision.
