FDA Bans Red Dye No. 3 Due to Cancer Concerns

FDA Bans Red Dye No. 3 Due to Cancer Concerns

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced a ban on the use of red dye No. 3 in food, beverages, and ingested drugs, following decades of scientific scrutiny regarding its links to cancer in animals. 

The decision, made on January 15, 2025, comes more than 30 years after initial concerns were raised.

Red dye No. 3, a synthetic color additive chemically known as erythrosine and derived from petroleum, is commonly used to impart a bright cherry-red color to various food products