Nutrition Diet and Safety: What is red dye #3? The Recent FDA Ban Explained

Following decades of scientific scrutiny and animal studies linking it to cancer, the FDA announced a ban on the color additive. But what is red dye #3, where is it found, and what does this mean for consumers seeking a healthier nutrition diet?

Quick Summary

Red dye #3, also known as erythrosine, is a synthetic food dye that the FDA has recently banned from food and drugs due to cancer risks identified in animal studies. It is commonly found in processed foods like candy and is being phased out for natural alternatives.

Key Points

• Definition: Red Dye #3, or erythrosine, is a synthetic, petroleum-derived food colorant used for its vibrant, cherry-red shade.

• Health Concerns: Animal studies from the 1980s linked high doses of Red Dye #3 to thyroid cancer in male rats, and potential thyroid hormone disruption in both rats and pigs.

• The FDA Ban: The FDA announced a ban on Red Dye #3 in food and ingested drugs in January 2025, taking effect in 2027 (food) and 2028 (drugs), based on the Delaney Clause and advocacy efforts.

• Food Sources: Before the ban is fully implemented, Red Dye #3 can still be found in many processed foods and medications, including candies, maraschino cherries, and colorful icings.

• Natural Alternatives: Healthier, natural substitutes for red coloring include beet juice, purple sweet potato extract, and carmine.

• Informed Choice: Consumers can avoid synthetic dyes by checking ingredient labels for 'FD&C Red No. 3' or 'erythrosine' and opting for products with natural colorings instead.

The Chemical Behind the Color: What is Red Dye #3?

What is red dye #3? Known scientifically as erythrosine, or FD&C Red No. 3, it is a synthetic food coloring derived from petroleum that has been used for decades to impart a vibrant, cherry-red color to foods, drinks, and ingested drugs. This artificial additive was first approved for use in the United States in 1907. Its purpose is purely aesthetic, designed to make products more visually appealing and appetizing for consumers.

Unlike natural colors derived from fruits or vegetables, erythrosine is a manufactured chemical. For a long time, it was a staple in many processed food products, from seasonal candies to maraschino cherries. However, its widespread use began to face serious scrutiny in the 1980s following critical animal studies that revealed significant health concerns.

The Health Risks and Scientific Findings

Concerns surrounding Red Dye #3 center on its demonstrated health risks in laboratory animals. The most prominent finding, which eventually led to regulatory action, was its link to thyroid cancer in male rats. Animal studies showed that when rats were fed high doses of the dye over extended periods, they developed thyroid tumors.

The mechanism behind this effect is believed to be the dye's disruption of thyroid hormone regulation. Erythrosine, a tetraiodinated derivative of fluorescein, contains iodine and can inhibit the thyroid gland's ability to absorb iodine and produce essential hormones. This hormonal imbalance can lead to a compensatory increase in thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), promoting thyroid cell proliferation and, at high exposure levels, tumor formation in the rat model.

Further research in rodents also identified other potential toxic effects, including an increase in oxidative stress and neuroinflammation in the brain, leading to neuronal damage. While direct evidence of carcinogenic effects in humans has not been established, the findings from animal studies provided sufficient cause for regulatory bodies to act under the precautionary principle.

The Long Road to Regulation and the Recent FDA Ban

Despite the early findings linking Red Dye #3 to cancer, it took decades for a full ban to be implemented in the United States. Here is a timeline of key regulatory events:

• 1990: The FDA banned Red Dye #3 from use in cosmetics and topical drugs, such as lipsticks and skin creams, based on the animal study findings and the Delaney Clause of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. The Delaney Clause prohibits the approval of any color additive found to induce cancer in humans or animals.
• 1990-2022: Despite the cosmetic ban, Red Dye #3 remained approved for food use. The FDA had indicated an intention to pursue a ban for food but failed to take action for over 30 years.
• 2022: A petition by the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) and other health advocacy groups pushed the FDA to finally ban the additive from food and ingested drugs.
• 2023: California passed a state-level ban on Red Dye #3 and other synthetic additives, taking effect in 2027.
• January 2025: The FDA formally announced a nationwide ban on Red Dye #3 in food and ingested drugs. The ban is set to be fully implemented by January 2027 for food and January 2028 for ingested drugs.

This prolonged regulatory process highlights the complex interplay between public health concerns and the food industry's practices. The final ban was a significant victory for consumer health advocates.

How to Spot and Avoid Red Dye #3

With the ban's phase-in period extending through 2027 and 2028, consumers must remain vigilant. Red Dye #3 will be listed on ingredient labels under a few different names:

• FD&C Red No. 3
• Red 3
• Erythrosine
• E127 (the European designation)

To avoid this synthetic dye, consumers should always check the ingredient list, particularly for brightly-colored processed items. Common products that traditionally contain Red Dye #3 include:

• Maraschino and glacé cherries
• Seasonal and fruity candies (e.g., candy corn, conversation hearts, some gummies)
• Baked goods with red frosting or sprinkles
• Fruit cocktails and some red beverages (e.g., strawberry milk, certain sodas)
• Ice pops and frozen desserts
• Certain medications and gummy vitamins

Natural Alternatives to Synthetic Dyes

As manufacturers reformulate their products, many are turning to natural alternatives to achieve a red hue. These plant-based options provide color without the health concerns associated with synthetic dyes.

• Beet Juice: Extracted from beets, this vegetable-based colorant is used in products like popsicles and ice cream.
• Purple Sweet Potato/Red Cabbage Extracts: These extracts offer rich red and purple tones and are derived from plant pigments.
• Carmine: A natural red dye derived from cochineal insects, it is a stable and widely used alternative, though it is not vegan.

Here is a comparison of Red Dye #3 with its common natural replacements:

Feature	Red Dye #3 (Erythrosine)	Beet Juice Extract	Carmine	Purple Sweet Potato Extract
Source	Petroleum-based synthetic chemical	Vegetable (beetroot)	Insects (cochineal)	Vegetable (purple sweet potato)
Health Concerns	Linked to thyroid tumors in animal studies	Generally considered safe	Can cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals	Generally considered safe
Vegan	No	Yes	No	Yes
Color Stability	Highly stable and vibrant	Stable, but can degrade with heat	Very stable against heat and light	Stable, but can vary in intensity
Labeling	FD&C Red No. 3, E127	Beet juice, beetroot red	Carmine, cochineal extract	Purple sweet potato extract

The Impact on Your Nutrition Diet and the Path Forward

The FDA ban represents a significant step toward improving food additive safety in the US, aligning it with regulations in Europe and other countries. For individuals focused on a mindful and healthy nutrition diet, the removal of Red Dye #3 is a positive development. While the dye itself doesn't offer nutritional value, its presence often signifies a highly processed product with low nutritional density, high added sugar, and unhealthy fats.

Consumers can continue to drive change by supporting brands that have already transitioned to natural colorings and by carefully reading food labels. This awareness empowers individuals to make more informed decisions about what they consume. The ongoing removal of synthetic dyes and other potentially harmful additives from our food supply reflects a growing demand for safer, cleaner food products and a renewed focus on nutritional health.

For additional information on food additive safety, you can explore the resources from the Center for Science in the Public Interest.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Red Dye #3 and Red Dye #40?

Red Dye #3 (Erythrosine) is a different chemical from Red Dye #40 (Allura Red). While the FDA has banned Red Dye #3 from food and drugs due to cancer concerns, Red Dye #40 remains permitted for use in the U.S. food supply.

Why did it take so long for the FDA to ban Red Dye #3?

The FDA first banned Red Dye #3 in cosmetics in 1990 due to animal studies linking it to cancer, but regulatory delays kept it in the food supply for over 30 years. Renewed petitions from health advocacy groups in 2022 prompted the FDA to finally act on the ban in 2025, enforcing the Delaney Clause.

What is erythrosine?

Erythrosine is the scientific name for Red Dye #3, also known as FD&C Red No. 3. It is an iodine-containing chemical that gives processed foods and drugs a cherry-red color.

What foods commonly contain Red Dye #3?

Common sources of Red Dye #3 include candies (like jelly beans, candy corn, and gummies), maraschino cherries, fruit cocktails, ice cream, frostings, and some strawberry-flavored drinks and yogurts.

Are there natural alternatives to Red Dye #3?

Yes, many manufacturers are now using natural colorings to replace synthetic dyes. Common alternatives include beet juice extract, purple sweet potato extract, and carmine (a red dye made from insects).

How can I check if a product contains Red Dye #3?

Consumers should read the ingredients label on food and drug packaging. Red Dye #3 must be listed by its common name, 'FD&C Red No. 3,' 'Red 3,' or 'erythrosine'.

Will the ban affect all products containing the dye at once?

No, the FDA ban on Red Dye #3 has a phased timeline. Food and beverage products must be reformulated by January 2027, and ingested drugs have until January 2028.