Products Still Using Red Dye Number 3 Before the 2027 Ban

In January 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) finalized a ban on the color additive Red Dye Number 3, also known as Erythrosine, from use in food and ingested drugs, citing links to cancer found in animal studies. While the dye was banned in cosmetics in 1990, it continued to be used in thousands of food products for decades. This article outlines what products still use Red Dye Number 3 and why manufacturers have until January 2027 to comply with the new federal regulations.

Quick Summary

This article details the types of products, including candies, frozen desserts, and medications, that still contain the synthetic color additive Red Dye Number 3. It explains the FDA's recent ban, the transition timeline for manufacturers, and how consumers can identify and avoid the dye in the interim. Information is provided on potential health risks and alternative colorants used by companies.

Key Points

• FDA Ban: The FDA officially banned Red Dye Number 3 in food and ingested drugs in January 2025, with compliance deadlines of January 2027 and January 2028, respectively.

• Affected Products: Until the ban is fully enforced, the dye can still be found in many candies, baked goods, beverages, and some medications.

• Cosmetics Ban: Red Dye Number 3 was banned from use in cosmetics and topical drugs in the U.S. in 1990, after being linked to cancer in animal studies.

• Health Concerns: Beyond cancer risks, synthetic food dyes like Red Dye Number 3 have been associated with neurobehavioral problems like hyperactivity in some children.

• Labeling: Consumers can identify products containing the dye by looking for "FD&C Red No. 3" or "E127" on ingredient labels.

• Alternatives: Many manufacturers are already switching to safer alternatives like carmine, beet juice, or other natural colorants.

• State Action: Legislation at the state level, such as California's 2023 ban, helped push for the federal action to remove the dye from the food supply.

Understanding the FDA Ban on Red Dye Number 3

After decades of debate and consumer advocacy, the FDA officially revoked authorization for Red Dye Number 3 in food and ingested drugs in January 2025. This decision was based on the Delaney Clause, which prohibits the approval of any additive shown to induce cancer in animals or humans, following studies that linked the dye to thyroid cancer in male rats. The ban for cosmetics had been in place since 1990 for the same reason. Manufacturers have been given a grace period to comply, with food and beverage reformulations required by January 2027 and ingested drug updates by January 2028.

List of Products Still Containing Red Dye Number 3

Despite the impending ban, many products that previously contained Red Dye Number 3 may still be on store shelves until the compliance deadlines are reached. Consumers can check ingredient labels for "FD&C Red No. 3" or "E127" to identify products containing the dye. Categories of products that have historically contained Red Dye Number 3 include:

• Candies and Confectionery: Some seasonal candies, gums, mints, jelly candies, and fruit PEZ.
• Baked Goods and Desserts: Decorating gels, icings, sprinkles, snack cakes, pastries, ice cream, fruit bars, and popsicles.
• Beverages: Specific fruit-flavored drinks and some nutritional shakes.
• Ingested Drugs and Supplements: Various over-the-counter cough syrups, gummy vitamins, and some other medications.
• Other Food Products: Maraschino cherries and some imitation meat products.

Comparison of Dyes: Red Dye Number 3 vs. Red Dye Number 40

As manufacturers reformulate, they often use alternative colorants. The table below compares Red Dye Number 3 and Red Dye Number 40, a common substitute.

Feature	Red Dye Number 3 (Erythrosine)	Red Dye Number 40 (Allura Red)
Carcinogenic Link	Linked to thyroid tumors in animal studies.	Some animal studies suggest possible links to certain health issues, though not outright classified as a carcinogen like Red 3.
FDA Regulatory Status	Banned for use in food and ingested drugs as of January 2025, with compliance deadlines of 2027 and 2028. Banned in cosmetics since 1990.	Currently permitted for use in food and cosmetics by the FDA.
Regulatory Status (EU)	Largely restricted, except for certain cherries.	Restricted in some countries and requires a hyperactivity warning label.
Color	A specific cherry-red shade.	A broader, reddish-orange color.
Alternatives	Carmine (from cochineal insects), beet juice, anthocyanins.	Other natural and synthetic dyes.

Potential Health Concerns of Synthetic Food Dyes

Consumer groups like the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) advise caution with all synthetic food colorings due to various concerns, including potential links to hyperactivity or other neurobehavioral problems, particularly in children.

State-level actions, such as bans or restrictions on multiple food additives including Red Dye 3 in California and New York, have contributed to federal efforts. Reading labels and choosing products with natural colorants is a way for consumers to avoid synthetic colorings.

Conclusion: Consumer Awareness Is Key

Even with the mandated removal of Red Dye Number 3, consumers should be aware of which products still contain it before the 2027 and 2028 deadlines. Checking ingredient lists for "FD&C Red No. 3" or "E127" is the best way to do this. The federal ban represents progress in public health protection and aligns U.S. regulations more closely with countries that have long restricted this dye.

Outbound Link: For more information on food additive safety and what ingredients to avoid, you can consult the {Link: Center for Science in the Public Interest https://www.cspi.org/cspi-news/red-3-fda-finally-bans-cancer-causing-food-dye}.

Frequently Asked Questions

What products still use Red Dye Number 3 before the ban?

Before the federal ban is fully implemented, some candies, maraschino cherries, specific baked goods, some flavored milks, nutritional shakes, and certain medications and gummy vitamins may still contain Red Dye Number 3.

When does the Red Dye Number 3 ban go into effect?

The FDA's ban on Red Dye Number 3 in food and beverages takes effect in January 2027. Manufacturers of ingested drugs have until January 2028 to remove the dye from their products.

Is Red Dye Number 3 the same as Red Dye Number 40?

No, they are different synthetic dyes. While both have been subject to health scrutiny, Red Dye Number 3 has been explicitly linked to cancer in animal studies, leading to its recent ban. Red Dye Number 40 is still permitted by the FDA, though some countries restrict its use.

What are the health concerns associated with Red Dye Number 3?

Red Dye Number 3 has been linked to thyroid tumors in animal studies. It is also associated with potential endocrine-disrupting effects. Some sources also link synthetic dyes generally to neurobehavioral problems, like hyperactivity in some children.

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

You can check the ingredient list on a product's label for "FD&C Red No. 3" or the European code "E127." The FDA requires this ingredient to be explicitly listed.

Why was Red Dye Number 3 banned in cosmetics long before food?

The FDA banned the use of Red Dye Number 3 in cosmetics in 1990 based on animal studies linking it to cancer. The regulatory process for food additives was separate and delayed, despite the known risks, until a petition and state-level action prompted the federal ban on food and ingested drugs in 2025.

What are manufacturers using as an alternative to Red Dye Number 3?

Many manufacturers are switching to natural colorants derived from sources like beets, purple sweet potatoes, radishes, or carmine (a dye made from cochineal insects). Some are also using other synthetic dyes like Red Dye Number 40.