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On January 15, the FDAissued an ordertargeting FD&C Red No.
Kryssia Campos/Getty Images
3, a synthetic coloring agent also known as Red Dye No.
3, Red Dye 3, and erythrosine.
Used for its bright cherry hue, Red No.
3 is currently found in some common foods and ingested drugsbut maybe not for much longer.
So what does this policy change mean for your favorite foods and drinksand for your health?
Have you been unknowingly consuming harmful chemicals all these years?
If youre alarmed, concerned, or even just confused, we have answers to these questions for you.
Whats behind the FDA ban on Red Dye No.
Its based on the Delaney Clause of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.
In fact, as a result of the same law, Red Dye No.
3 was banned from cosmetic products in 1990.
So yes, some research indicates that Red No.
3 has links to cancer, but theres a caveat.
Other research has raised concerns about a link between synthetic food dyes like Red No.
Currently, claims that the use of FD&C Red No.
So what foods contain Red No.
While there still are a good amount, there are fewer than there used to be.
Many companies have already begun phasing out Red No.
3, particularly after Californias Food Safety Act passed.
These include Just Born, the parent company of Peeps, the confectioner famous for its marshmallow chicks.
In 2023, the company announced that it would remove Red No.
3 from its formula; that change was due to take effect following Easter 2024.
Primarily, these are processed products that you couldn’t make in your home kitchen, Pomeranz says.
(Though keep in mind that this is not a comprehensive list.)
What happens next with Red No.
3 and other food dyes?
However, there are many still allowed, including Blue No.
1, Blue No.
2, Green No.
3, Yellow No.
5, and Yellow No.
6and another one that can provide a similar bright red color: Red 40.
As for what comes next for Red No.
Meanwhile, manufacturers who use Red No.
3 in drugs will have until January 18, 2028.
Quick note: This doesnt mean Red No.
3 will be completelyeradicated from the food and drug supply by 2028.
Products containing Red No.
3 could be available for purchase after the effective date if they were manufactured beforehand.
If RFK is confirmed, it does seem that he is interested in continuing along this path.
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