Erythrosine: What is another name for red dye No 3?

October 13, 2025 •

4 min read

In January 2025, the FDA announced a ban on the food color additive known as Red Dye No. 3. So, what is another name for red dye No. 3? The answer is erythrosine, a synthetic, petroleum-based compound that is now facing new regulations in the food and drug industries.

Quick Summary

Red Dye No. 3, also known as erythrosine, was recently banned by the FDA from use in food and ingested drugs, decades after it was restricted from cosmetics. This ban followed scientific evidence linking the synthetic dye to thyroid cancer in lab rats and other health concerns. Consumers can avoid erythrosine by carefully reading ingredient labels and prioritizing whole, unprocessed foods.

Key Points

Erythrosine is Red Dye No. 3: The synthetic food dye Red Dye No. 3 is also known by its chemical name, erythrosine.
FDA Ban in 2025: The FDA officially banned erythrosine from food and ingested drugs starting in January 2025, following decades of use.
Linked to Cancer in Animals: The ban was triggered by scientific evidence showing that high doses of erythrosine cause thyroid cancer in lab rats.
Potential for Neurobehavioral Issues: Some studies have linked erythrosine and other synthetic dyes to neurobehavioral problems, like hyperactivity, in sensitive children.
Identify it on Labels: To avoid erythrosine, check ingredient lists for "FD&C Red No. 3" or "Erythrosine" until the ban fully takes effect for existing products.
Focus on Whole Foods: The most effective strategy for avoiding synthetic dyes is to prioritize a diet based on whole, unprocessed foods.
Natural Alternatives Exist: As manufacturers phase out erythrosine, they are using natural colorants such as beet juice, paprika, and carmine.

Understanding Erythrosine and the FDA Ban

For decades, erythrosine, more commonly known as Red Dye No. 3, was a staple color additive in a wide variety of foods and medications, giving them an appealing cherry-red hue. Despite being banned from cosmetics in the U.S. back in 1990 due to links with cancer in animal studies, its use in food persisted. This changed in January 2025 when the FDA finally revoked its authorization for Red Dye No. 3 in food and ingested drugs, aligning with a more cautious approach to public health. The ban was a direct result of the Delaney Clause, a provision of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act that mandates the prohibition of any additive found to induce cancer in animals or humans.

This landmark decision gives manufacturers until 2027 to reformulate food and beverage products and until 2028 for ingested drugs. For consumers, this shift highlights the importance of being aware of what's in their food and making informed choices about their nutrition diet.

Health Concerns Associated with Erythrosine

The move to ban erythrosine was prompted by decades of mounting evidence linking the dye to significant health risks in animal studies. While the FDA noted that the mechanism of cancer in rats may not apply to humans in the same way, the long-standing concerns warranted regulatory action based on the Delaney Clause.

Thyroid Cancer and Dysfunction: Studies conducted in the 1980s and referenced in the FDA's decision showed that high-level exposure to Red Dye No. 3 caused thyroid tumors in male rats. The dye is also known to disrupt thyroid hormone regulation by interfering with iodine absorption, which is vital for thyroid function.
Neurobehavioral Effects: Some research has suggested a link between synthetic food dyes, including erythrosine, and neurobehavioral problems, particularly in children. These effects may include hyperactivity, inattention, and restlessness.
Oxidative Stress and Brain Health: Rat studies have indicated that erythrosine can increase oxidative stress in the brain, which leads to tissue damage and impairs communication between neurons.
Estrogen-like Effects: In vitro studies using human breast cancer cells have found that Red Dye No. 3 could have an estrogen-like effect, potentially stimulating the growth of certain hormone-sensitive cancers.

Identifying and Avoiding Erythrosine in Your Diet

Even with the ban underway, products containing erythrosine may still be on shelves for a period. To navigate your nutrition diet successfully, it's crucial to become a diligent label reader. On ingredient lists, Red Dye No. 3 can be identified by its various names:

FD&C Red No. 3
Red No. 3
Erythrosine
E127 (in Europe, though restricted)

Many of the items containing this dye are ultra-processed foods, which offer little nutritional value. By shifting towards a diet rich in whole foods, you can inherently reduce your exposure to synthetic additives like erythrosine.

Common products that have historically contained Red Dye No. 3 include:

Maraschino cherries
Certain candies (e.g., candy corn, jelly beans)
Cake decorating gels and frostings
Popsicles and some frozen desserts
Flavored milk and yogurts
Some sausage casings and bacon bits
Certain cereals and snack cakes

Comparing Red Dye No. 3 (Erythrosine) and Red Dye No. 40 (Allura Red)

Many consumers confuse Red Dye No. 3 with Red Dye No. 40 (also known as Allura Red). While both are synthetic, petroleum-based red food colorings, they are chemically distinct and have different regulatory statuses. The table below highlights key differences:


Feature	Red Dye No. 3 (Erythrosine)	Red Dye No. 40 (Allura Red)
Chemical Basis	Petroleum-based organoiodine chemical.	Petroleum-based chemical, but does not contain iodine.
Regulatory Status (US)	Banned in cosmetics in 1990; banned in food and ingested drugs from 2025.	Currently considered safe by the FDA and widely used.
Associated Concerns	Linked to thyroid cancer in rats, thyroid dysfunction, and neurobehavioral effects in children.	Less clear evidence of harm, though some studies suggest neurobehavioral effects.
Color Profile	Provides a bright, cherry-red color.	Creates a bright crimson color.

Embracing Natural and Whole Food Alternatives

The FDA ban has prompted a shift in the food industry toward natural alternatives for coloring products. This aligns with a broader trend of consumers seeking out cleaner labels and less processed ingredients. By choosing products with natural colorings or opting for whole foods, you can ensure a safer and more nutritious diet.

Beetroot: Concentrated beet juice and powder are excellent natural alternatives for creating red and pink hues.
Carmine: Derived from cochineal insects, carmine is another natural red coloring used by some manufacturers, although not suitable for vegans.
Purple Sweet Potato and Red Cabbage Extracts: These can provide vibrant red and purple tones.
Paprika and Annatto: These spice-based colorants can add warm red, orange, and yellow shades.

Navigating your diet by choosing naturally colored or unprocessed options is a simple yet powerful step. Focusing on a diverse range of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains naturally introduces a spectrum of colors—and the corresponding vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants—without relying on synthetic additives.

Conclusion: A Step Towards a Healthier Diet

The FDA's ban on Red Dye No. 3, known chemically as erythrosine, marks a significant moment for food safety and consumer awareness. It is a powerful reminder that not all food additives are created equal and that a cleaner, more natural diet is often a healthier one. By understanding the risks associated with synthetic dyes and learning to identify them on labels, consumers are empowered to make choices that benefit their well-being. The move away from erythrosine provides a strong incentive for manufacturers to invest in natural, plant-based colorants, signaling a positive shift towards more transparent and wholesome food production. Ultimately, a well-informed nutrition diet focused on whole foods is the most effective way to limit exposure to controversial additives and promote overall health.

For more information on food additives and their effects, you can visit the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI).

Frequently Asked Questions

Another name for red dye No. 3 is erythrosine. It is also listed as FD&C Red No. 3 on ingredient labels.

The FDA banned red dye No. 3 due to animal studies linking it to thyroid cancer in male rats. The decision was made to comply with the Delaney Clause, which prohibits the use of food additives found to cause cancer in animals or humans.

No, the ban is not effective immediately. The FDA has given manufacturers until January 2027 to remove erythrosine from food and beverages and until January 2028 for ingested drugs.

Red dye No. 3 was commonly found in ultra-processed foods like maraschino cherries, colorful candies, frostings, flavored yogurts, fruit cocktails, and some beverages.

No, red dye No. 40 (Allura Red) is a different synthetic dye. While both are derived from petroleum, they have different chemical compositions and regulatory statuses.

The best way to avoid red dye No. 3 is to read ingredient labels for 'FD&C Red No. 3' or 'erythrosine'. Choosing whole, unprocessed foods and seeking products with natural coloring agents are also effective strategies.

Natural alternatives to erythrosine include concentrated beet juice, extracts from purple sweet potato and red cabbage, paprika, annatto, and carmine (from cochineal insects).