A food coloring found in everything from candy to canned fruit is officially on its way out. On Wednesday, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced it is revoking approval for Red Dye No. 3, commonly known as Red 3, citing concerns about cancer risks after years of mounting pressure from public health advocates.
The decision marks a major shift in the regulation of food additives in the U.S., following growing scrutiny of synthetic dyes used in popular snacks and packaged foods. Red 3 has been used in hundreds of items over the years, including snack chips, sweet treats, fruit cups, and even tomato sauces, giving foods a vibrant pink or red hue. Now, manufacturers will have until January 2027 to phase it out for good.
A Long Time Coming
The FDA’s move didn’t come out of the blue. Health and safety advocates have been urging the agency to take action for decades, and in 2022, a formal petition was filed by the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) and other advocacy groups calling for the additive to be banned. They pointed to studies showing that Red 3 caused cancer in laboratory animals, and questioned why a dye banned in cosmetics was still being allowed in food.
Although the FDA has previously stated that the animal studies didn’t provide strong enough evidence to suggest Red 3 poses a cancer risk to humans, a lesser-known provision in federal law forced the agency’s hand. The Delaney Clause, a rule dating back to 1958, prohibits the FDA from approving any food additive that’s been found to cause cancer in animals—even if there’s no proof of harm to people.
“We’ve maintained that Red 3 does not currently pose a threat to human health based on the available data,” one FDA official said. “But under current law, we are obligated to revoke its use based on animal testing outcomes.”
What’s in Your Snack?
If you’ve never heard of Red 3, you’re not alone—but chances are, you’ve eaten it. According to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the nonprofit Environmental Working Group, Red 3 has been an ingredient in a wide range of familiar products. It’s commonly found in fruit-flavored snacks, maraschino cherries, boxed cake mixes, and even medications like cough syrups and chewable vitamins.
That’s part of why the decision is getting so much attention. Consumers may not be reading every ingredient label, but this ruling shines a spotlight on how much artificial coloring is still used in our food supply, even as other countries move away from synthetic dyes altogether.
California Led the Way
In many ways, California’s 2023 ban on Red 3 set the tone for Wednesday’s decision. The state became the first in the nation to prohibit the use of several controversial food additives, including Red 3, in foods sold within its borders. That move sent a strong message to the rest of the country—and possibly helped push the FDA toward action.
Now, with the federal ban in place, food companies will have to find alternatives to Red 3 for products sold nationwide. Many manufacturers have already started switching to natural food dyes like beet juice, paprika extract, and other plant-based colorants. These tend to be more expensive, but they also carry fewer regulatory and health concerns.
What Happens Next?
Food manufacturers have until January 1, 2027 to comply with the FDA’s decision and stop using Red 3 in their products. In the meantime, consumers can continue checking ingredient labels to avoid the dye if they prefer. Look for “Red 3,” “FD&C Red No. 3,” or “Erythrosine” on packaging, especially in brightly colored candies and processed foods.
Advocacy groups say this is a big win for public health, but they aren’t done yet. The CSPI has also raised concerns about other synthetic dyes, such as Yellow 5 and Red 40, which are still commonly used despite similar animal studies showing potential risks. “This is an important step,” a CSPI spokesperson said, “but there’s more work to be done to make our food safer.”
For now, Red 3’s days are numbered—and the larger conversation about what goes into our food is far from over.
