Manufacturers Given Until 2027 to Phase Out Use in Food Products

Washington, D.C. - January 15, 2025

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced the ban of Red Dye No. 3 from all food products due to its potential cancer risks. The decision, which was made public today, marks the end of a long-standing debate over the safety of this artificial colorant in the American diet.

Red Dye No. 3, also known as Erythrosine, has been linked to thyroid cancer in male rats in laboratory tests, prompting the FDA to act under the Delaney Clause, which prohibits any food additive shown to cause cancer in humans or animals. This clause has been a cornerstone of U.S. food safety policy for decades.

The FDA's announcement gives food manufacturers until January 2027 to completely remove Red Dye No. 3 from their products, allowing time for reformulation. Drug manufacturers, particularly those producing oral medications like cough syrups, have until January 2028 to phase out the dye.

"This decision reflects our commitment to safeguarding consumer health by removing substances from our food supply that have been shown to have carcinogenic effects," stated Dr. Janet Wood, FDA's Deputy Commissioner for Food Policy and Response.

The ban follows years of advocacy by health organizations like the Center for Science in the Public Interest, which has long argued that Red Dye No. 3 serves no nutritional purpose and is used merely for aesthetic reasons. Critics have pointed out that while the dye has been banned in cosmetics and externally applied drugs since the 1980s, its use in food persisted until now due to what some see as regulatory inertia.

The move aligns the U.S. with European regulations where Red Dye No. 3 has been largely prohibited since 1994, except for use in specific products like maraschino cherries.

Food industry insiders suggest that this ban might lead to a rise in natural colorants or alternative artificial dyes, although some worry about the cost and time involved in reformulating popular products.

Public reaction has been mixed; while health advocates applaud the FDA's action, some consumers are nostalgic about the vibrant red that has colored everything from candy to cake icing. However, the overarching sentiment seems to favor health over hue, with many parents and health-conscious individuals welcoming the change.

This ban not only highlights the FDA's proactive approach towards food safety but also underscores the ongoing dialogue about what we put into our bodies and the long-term effects of artificial additives.