Nutrition Diet Explained: What is red dye 3 made out of?

October 13, 2025 •

3 min read

As of January 2025, the FDA officially banned Red Dye 3 from use in foods and ingested drugs in the U.S., making the question 'what is red dye 3 made out of?' more relevant than ever for consumers focused on a clean nutrition diet. The decision came decades after the dye was linked to health concerns in animal studies.

Quick Summary

Red Dye 3, or erythrosine, is a synthetic, petroleum-based food colorant that was recently banned by the FDA due to cancer concerns in animal studies. This additive was used in many processed foods, but manufacturers are now transitioning to natural alternatives.

Key Points

Synthetic Origin: Red Dye 3 is a synthetic dye, also known as erythrosine, that is chemically derived from petroleum.
Health Concerns: Scientific studies in the 1980s linked high doses of Red Dye 3 to thyroid tumors in male lab rats, raising long-term cancer concerns.
Recent Ban: As of January 2025, the FDA officially banned the use of Red Dye 3 in all food and ingested drugs in the U.S., citing the Delaney Clause.
Former Prevalence: The dye was formerly used in a wide range of processed foods, including many candies, baked goods, fruit products, and beverages.
Natural Alternatives: Manufacturers are now using natural colorants such as beet juice, purple sweet potato extract, and carmine to replace the synthetic dye.
Consumer Empowerment: The ban and shift to natural colors empower consumers to make more informed choices, emphasizing clean eating and scrutinizing food labels for additives.

The Chemical Composition of Red Dye 3

When asking, "what is red dye 3 made out of?", the answer reveals its synthetic origins. Red Dye 3, or erythrosine, is a synthetic food coloring derived primarily from petroleum. It is chemically known as the disodium salt of 2,4,5,7-tetraiodofluorescein and involves the iodination of fluorescein during its creation, resulting in a bright, cherry-red color. This process makes it an artificial additive, distinct from natural colorants. The presence of iodine in its structure has led some experts to suggest a potential link to thyroid issues.

A History of Controversy and Regulation

The use of Red Dye 3 in the US dates back to 1907. However, concerns about its safety arose in the 1980s following animal studies that associated high doses with thyroid tumors in rats. This led the FDA to prohibit its use in cosmetics and external drugs in 1990, based on the Delaney Clause which targets additives causing cancer in animals or humans. The dye's continued presence in food for over thirty years created a regulatory paradox that was finally resolved in January 2025 with the FDA ban on its use in food and ingested drugs. Many other countries had previously banned or restricted Red Dye 3.

The Link to a Health-Conscious Nutrition Diet

Individuals focused on a healthy nutrition diet have long sought to avoid synthetic additives like Red Dye 3. Artificial colors offer no nutritional benefit and are used solely for visual appeal. Studies have also indicated potential links between artificial food colorings and hyperactivity and other neurobehavioral effects, particularly in children. Opting for whole, unprocessed foods is a key strategy to reduce exposure to such chemicals.

Where Was Red Dye 3 Found?

Prior to the ban, Red Dye 3 was present in numerous processed foods and medications. While new products in the US will no longer contain it, it's useful to know where it was commonly used:

Candies (e.g., candy corn, gumdrops)
Baked goods with red coloring (icings, sprinkles)
Dairy and frozen desserts (some ice cream, popsicles)
Maraschino cherries
Certain beverages (fruit cocktails)
Oral medications and gummy vitamins

Exploring Natural Alternatives

To replace Red Dye 3, manufacturers are adopting natural and plant-based colorants. Consumers should still check labels as the sources vary:

Beet juice
Carmine (from cochineal insects, not vegan, potential allergen)
Purple sweet potato and red cabbage extracts
Anthocyanins (compounds from red/purple plants)

Comparison of Red Dyes and Alternatives


Feature	Red Dye 3 (Erythrosine)	Red Dye 40 (Allura Red AC)	Natural Red Colorants (Beet Juice, Carmine)
Source	Synthetic, petroleum-based	Synthetic, petroleum-based	Plant-based (beet juice) or insect-based (carmine)
Chemical Type	Organoiodine compound	Azo dye	Pigment extracted from natural source
Regulatory Status	Banned in US for food/ingested drugs as of Jan 2025	Approved in US, banned/restricted in some countries	Generally recognized as safe (GRAS) or approved
Potential Health Risks	Linked to thyroid tumors in animal studies	Linked to hyperactivity, neurobehavioral issues	Carmine can cause allergic reactions; generally considered safer
Nutritional Value	None	None	Potential trace vitamins/minerals from source plant
Labeling	"FD&C Red No. 3" or "Red 3"	"FD&C Red No. 40" or "Red 40"	"Beet juice," "Carmine," "Purple sweet potato extract"

Making Informed Dietary Choices

Adopting a diet low in synthetic dyes is important for a healthy nutrition diet. The Red Dye 3 ban supports cleaner eating. To make informed choices:

Read ingredient labels for specific dye names like "FD&C Red No. 3" (though less relevant for new US products).
Look for natural colorants like beet juice or fruit extracts.
Choose whole, unprocessed foods to naturally avoid additives.
Support brands that use natural dyes.
Cook at home for full control over ingredients.

Conclusion: The Evolving Landscape of Food Safety

Red Dye 3 is a synthetic, petroleum-based chemical. Its ban by the FDA, influenced by animal studies linking it to cancer, represents a significant step towards a healthier food supply and aligns US regulations more closely with international standards. This encourages the use of natural alternatives and empowers consumers seeking a clean nutrition diet to make better choices.

To learn more about food additives and regulatory changes, an excellent resource is the Center for Science in the Public Interest.

Frequently Asked Questions

The primary component of Red Dye 3 is erythrosine, a synthetic chemical that is derived from petroleum. Its full chemical name is the disodium salt of 2,4,5,7-tetraiodofluorescein.

The FDA banned Red Dye 3 from food products based on animal studies from the 1980s that showed it caused thyroid tumors in rats. The decision was mandated by the Delaney Clause, which prohibits additives that cause cancer in animals or humans.

Yes, Red Dye 3 (erythrosine) contains iodine. Some experts have suggested that this iodine content could contribute to thyroid problems.

Until its ban, Red Dye 3 was commonly found in many foods, including brightly colored candies, icings, snack cakes, frozen desserts, and maraschino cherries.

Manufacturers are now using several natural alternatives to replace Red Dye 3. These include beet juice, carmine (from insects), and extracts from purple sweet potato and red cabbage.

No, Red Dye 40 (Allura Red AC) is not the same as Red Dye 3. Both are synthetic petroleum-based dyes, but they are chemically different. Some studies have linked Red Dye 40 to hyperactivity and neurobehavioral issues, but it was not part of the FDA's recent ban.

To check for Red Dye 3, you would look for "FD&C Red No. 3" or "Erythrosine" on the ingredient list. The recent FDA ban means newly manufactured products will not contain it, but reading labels is still important for avoiding other additives.