BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM

After decades of debate, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has banned Red Dye No. 3 from the nation’s food supply. The decision, announced on January 15, marks the end of an era for a dye long criticized for its potential health risks.

The move comes nearly 35 years after the FDA barred the dye—also known as erythrosine or FD&C Red No. 3—from cosmetics and topical drugs due to evidence linking it to cancer in lab rats. Now, food products, dietary supplements, and even oral medications will follow suit, with the ban taking full effect by January 2027 for foods and 2028 for ingested drugs.

“A matter of law”: why now?

“The FDA is taking action that will remove the authorization for the use of FD&C Red No. 3 in food and ingested drugs,” said Jim Jones, the FDA’s deputy commissioner for human foods. He explained that studies have shown the dye causes cancer in male rats exposed to high doses. While the mechanism doesn’t appear to apply to humans, the decision was guided by the Delaney Clause, a statute that prohibits the use of any additive found to cause cancer in animals or people.

This isn’t the first time health advocates have raised alarms about Red 3. In fact, the FDA’s initial ban on its use in cosmetics came in 1990, but the agency didn’t extend the restriction to food. That decision prompted years of advocacy, culminating in a 2022 petition filed by groups like the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI).

“This is a welcome, but long overdue, action from the FDA,” said Dr. Peter Lurie, director of CSPI. “Removing the unsustainable double standard in which Red 3 was banned from lipstick but permitted in candy is a step in the right direction.”

What happens next?

Food manufacturers now face a January 2027 deadline to remove Red 3 from their products, while ingested drug makers have an extra year to comply. Some companies are already ahead of the curve, swapping Red 3 for natural alternatives like beet juice, red cabbage, and purple sweet potato pigments. Sensient Food Colors, a leading supplier, notes that these natural substitutes are gaining popularity in the wake of growing consumer demand for cleaner ingredients.

The FDA’s decision aligns with similar bans in Europe, Australia, and New Zealand, where Red 3 is either strictly regulated or outright prohibited. California, too, will implement its own ban starting in 2027, and several other U.S. states are considering restrictions, particularly for foods marketed to children.

A tale of two perspectives

The ban has drawn praise from lawmakers and public health advocates, who see it as a critical step toward protecting children, the dye’s primary consumers. “The FDA should act quickly to protect the nation’s youth from this harmful dye,” read a letter signed by nearly two dozen members of Congress, emphasizing the higher exposure rates among children.

But not everyone is on board. The International Association of Color Manufacturers defends Red 3, arguing that it’s safe at levels typically consumed by humans. They point to reviews by organizations like the World Health Organization, which reaffirmed the dye’s safety as recently as 2018.

“When we do ban something, it will go to court,” FDA Commissioner Dr. Robert Califf warned in December. He acknowledged the potential for legal challenges, particularly given the lack of direct evidence linking Red 3 to cancer in humans.

Consumer attitudes drive change

A growing number of Americans favor stricter regulations on food additives. According to an AP-NORC poll, about two-thirds of U.S. adults support reformulating processed foods to eliminate harmful ingredients like artificial dyes. Support is especially strong among college-educated and higher-income groups, with 8 in 10 college graduates backing restrictions compared to 6 in 10 without degrees.

This shift in public opinion, coupled with increasing awareness of health and environmental issues, has made natural food coloring more than just a trend. For many, it’s a necessity.

A final goodbye to Red 3

As the clock ticks down on Red 3, the FDA’s decision represents a significant, if delayed, victory for food safety advocates. While debates over its actual risks may continue, the move signals a broader shift toward prioritizing health over aesthetics in the food industry. And for consumers? It’s one less thing to worry about when reaching for that candy bar.