A widely used red food dye, commonly found in American drinks, snacks, candies, and cereals, may soon face a federal ban following years of concerns over its potential health risks, particularly for children.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has signaled it is considering action against red 3, a petroleum-derived additive that gives food a cherry-red hue. On Thursday, Jim Jones, the FDA’s deputy commissioner for human foods, informed a US Senate health committee that the agency could soon make a decision on a petition to revoke its approval.
Red 3 is currently present in nearly 3,000 food products, according to a database maintained by environmental health groups. Popular items such as Pez candies, Peeps marshmallows, Betty Crocker desserts, and Dubble Bubble chewing gum rely on the dye for its visual appeal, despite offering no nutritional value.
While the FDA maintains that red 3 and other approved additives are safe when consumed in appropriate amounts, studies have shown the dye to be carcinogenic in animals. It has been banned in cosmetics since 1990, and public health groups have linked its consumption to behavioral issues in children.
The pressure to ban red 3 reflects broader calls for stricter food safety regulations in the US, especially for dyes and additives that are restricted or banned in the European Union. Critics argue that the US lags behind other nations in protecting consumers from potentially harmful chemicals.
California recently passed a ban on red 3 alongside other controversial food dyes. Additionally, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Donald Trump’s proposed health secretary in a potential second term, has criticized the FDA’s leniency, citing links between food dyes and cancer.
Democratic lawmaker Frank Pallone, a ranking member of the US House Energy Committee, has also urged the FDA to take immediate action. “There is simply no reason for this chemical to be in our food except to entice and mislead consumers by changing the color of their food so it looks more appealing,” Pallone stated.
With the holiday season increasing the consumption of sweets and treats, public health advocates warn that red 3 remains “hidden” in foods consumed by both adults and children, calling for urgent regulatory action.
