The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced on Wednesday that Red Dye No. 3, a synthetic dye linked to cancer in animals, will be banned in food and drinks in the U.S.
Red Dye No. 3 is used in thousands of foods, such as cereal and candy, and drinks, such as carbonated beverages and cocktails. Manufacturers will have until January 15, 2027, to modify food and beverage products and remove Red Dye No. 3, while companies that produce dietary supplements will have until January 15, 2028, NBC News reported.
The dye, made from petroleum and approved for use in foods in 1907, has been banned in Australia, Japan, and many European countries. The U.S. also banned Red Dye No. 3 in cosmetics in 1990 after a study conducted in the 1980s showed that rats exposed to Red Dye No. 3 in high doses developed tumors. Some food and drink manufacturers have already begun removing Red Dye No. 3, among other dyes, according to NBC News.
“The FDA cannot authorize a food additive or color additive if it has been found to cause cancer in humans or animals,” said Jim Jones, the FDA’s deputy director for human foods. “Evidence shows cancer in laboratory male rats exposed to high levels of FD&C Red No. 3.”
The FDA’s move to ban Red Dye No. 3 comes less than a week before the Trump administration takes over. Health and Human Services Secretary nominee Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has vowed to pressure large companies to remove dyes from foods.
“The first thing I’d do isn’t going to cost you anything because I’m just gonna tell the cereal companies, take all the dyes out of their food,” Kennedy said while campaigning for Trump.
Kennedy, who has promised to “Make America Healthy Again,” needs to be confirmed by the Senate. His confirmation hearing date has not been announced.
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Kennedy’s comments on food dyes suggest the incoming Trump administration would go beyond merely banning Red Dye No. 3 and also prevent other dyes, such as Red 40 and Blue 1, from being used in food and drinks in the U.S. Last year, California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a law banning six dyes from food that is served at public schools in the state, Bloomberg reported. A report released by California in 2021 showed that “consumption of synthetic food dyes can cause hyperactivity and other neurobehavioral issues for some children.”
Food safety advocates applauded the FDA’s decision on Wednesday, but some said the ban should have come much sooner. Dr. Peter Lurie, president of the Center for Science in the Public Interest, told NBC News that the decision “removes an unnecessary hazard from the American food supply, and we welcome that action, even though it should have occurred more than three decades ago.”
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The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced on Wednesday that Red Dye No. 3, a synthetic dye linked to cancer in animals, will be banned in food and drinks in the U.S.
Red Dye No. 3 is used in thousands of foods, such as cereal and candy, and drinks, such as carbonated beverages and cocktails. Manufacturers will have until January 15, 2027, to modify food and beverage products and remove Red Dye No. 3, while companies that produce dietary supplements will have until January 15, 2028, NBC News reported.
The dye, made from petroleum and approved for use in foods in 1907, has been banned in Australia, Japan, and many European countries. The U.S. also banned Red Dye No. 3 in cosmetics in 1990 after a study conducted in the 1980s showed that rats exposed to Red Dye No. 3 in high doses developed tumors. Some food and drink manufacturers have already begun removing Red Dye No. 3, among other dyes, according to NBC News.
“The FDA cannot authorize a food additive or color additive if it has been found to cause cancer in humans or animals,” said Jim Jones, the FDA’s deputy director for human foods. “Evidence shows cancer in laboratory male rats exposed to high levels of FD&C Red No. 3.”
The FDA’s move to ban Red Dye No. 3 comes less than a week before the Trump administration takes over. Health and Human Services Secretary nominee Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has vowed to pressure large companies to remove dyes from foods.
“The first thing I’d do isn’t going to cost you anything because I’m just gonna tell the cereal companies, take all the dyes out of their food,” Kennedy said while campaigning for Trump.
Kennedy, who has promised to “Make America Healthy Again,” needs to be confirmed by the Senate. His confirmation hearing date has not been announced.
CELEBRATE #47 WITH 47% OFF DAILYWIRE+ MEMBERSHIPS + A FREE $20 GIFT
Kennedy’s comments on food dyes suggest the incoming Trump administration would go beyond merely banning Red Dye No. 3 and also prevent other dyes, such as Red 40 and Blue 1, from being used in food and drinks in the U.S. Last year, California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a law banning six dyes from food that is served at public schools in the state, Bloomberg reported. A report released by California in 2021 showed that “consumption of synthetic food dyes can cause hyperactivity and other neurobehavioral issues for some children.”
Food safety advocates applauded the FDA’s decision on Wednesday, but some said the ban should have come much sooner. Dr. Peter Lurie, president of the Center for Science in the Public Interest, told NBC News that the decision “removes an unnecessary hazard from the American food supply, and we welcome that action, even though it should have occurred more than three decades ago.”
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