On Wednesday, January 15, 2025, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) banned the use of Red Dye No. 3 (Red 3) in food and ingested drug products. According to the New York Times, its use in cosmetics and topical drugs has been banned since 1990 after a study showed that it caused thyroid cancer in rats. The FDA mandated that Red 3 would need to be removed from food products by Jan. 15, 2027 and from drug products by Jan. 18, 2028, according to Fox News. And this more recent ban is only the beginning, as there are still eight synthetic dyes approved by the FDA, each of which may be linked to significant health concerns, according to Forbes. This recent reversal of the FDA’s stance on Red 3 may be attributed in part to organizations like the Environmental Working Group who have been vocal about removing these synthetic dyes from grocery and drug stores, according to the New York Times.
And while the ban on Red 3 is a win for the health community, many companies may simply switch over to another synthetic dye such as Red 40, which has been accused of causing “hyperactivity and behavioral issues in children” according to NBC News. To be safe, try to choose products that do not list any synthetic dyes or “artificial coloring” as ingredients. As companies are not mandated to remove the dye until 2027 or 2028, check products which previously had Red 3 in them before you purchase as some items in stores may still contain the dye.
CBS News reported these affected products:
- Yoo-hoo strawberry flavored drink
- Some Pop-Tarts and MorningStar products
- Some Nestlé products like Nesquik strawberry milk and Toll House Funfetti cookie dough
- Some Conagra Brands products like Marie Callender’s birthday cake pie and Duncan Hines confetti cake mix
- Some McCormick products like vegan imitation bacon chips and Cake Mate red icing
- Dunkin’ Donuts vegetarian bacon products (only sold at the 48 kosher locations)
- Some Russell Stover products
- Some Ring Pop products
- Some Entenmann’s products
- Some Del Monte mixed fruit cups products
- Some Jelly Belly products
- Some Ferrero products like animal crackers and Laffy Taffy
- Some Pillsbury and General Mills products
- Some Krispy Kreme products
- Some Oreo products
- Some Smucker toppings and Hostess products
- Some Dubble Bubble products
If you have any questions about Red 3 or other dyes in food, please talk to your pediatrician.