Understanding the Red Dye Ban: Which Red Dye Is Banned and Why?

October 7, 2025 •

3 min read

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) finalized a ban on the synthetic color additive FD&C Red No. 3 for food and ingested drugs in January 2025. This action followed decades of debate and pressure from consumer advocacy groups, highlighting growing concerns about the safety of artificial food colors.

Quick Summary

The FDA's ban on the artificial color additive Red Dye No. 3 (Erythrosine), prompted by cancer links in animal studies, mandates its removal from US food products by 2027. This guide explores the ban's history, clarifies confusion with other dyes, and provides practical advice for consumers prioritizing natural ingredients and cleaner nutrition.

Key Points

FD&C Red No. 3 (Erythrosine) is Banned: The US FDA announced a ban on this specific red dye in January 2025, with full implementation by 2027/2028.
Cancer Link in Animal Studies: The ban was triggered by decades-old animal studies linking Red 3 to thyroid cancer in rats, invoking the Delaney Clause.
Red 40 is Still Approved: This is a different dye from Red 3 and remains FDA-approved in the US, though it has faced its own scrutiny.
Red 2 was Banned in 1976: For historical context, Red Dye No. 2 (Amaranth) was banned decades ago due to separate safety concerns.
Opt for Natural Alternatives: Consumers can choose natural colorants like beet juice, paprika, or anthocyanins found in whole foods.
Check Product Labels: Reading ingredient lists is key to identifying and avoiding specific artificial dyes.
Reduce Ultra-Processed Foods: The most effective nutritional strategy is reducing overall consumption of highly processed foods, which are the primary source of artificial colors.

FD&C Red No. 3: The Specifically Banned Dye

The red dye recently targeted by federal regulators is FD&C Red No. 3, also known as erythrosine. The decision to ban it was a landmark move, concluding a long and complex regulatory process. Announced in January 2025, the ban requires food and beverage manufacturers to eliminate the dye from their products by January 2027, with a slightly later deadline for drug manufacturers. This rule responded to a 2022 petition by consumer advocacy groups and built upon earlier state-level legislation.

Why Was Red Dye No. 3 Banned?

The primary reason for the ban dates back to the 1980s when animal studies linked high doses of Red 3 to thyroid cancer in male rats. The Delaney Clause of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act prohibits the FDA from approving any food or color additive shown to cause cancer in humans or animals. Although the FDA indicated the cancer mechanism in rats may not occur in humans, the Delaney Clause mandated the ban. This decision resolved a regulatory inconsistency where Red 3 was banned in cosmetics in 1990 due to cancer concerns but remained in food for over 30 years.

Confusion with Other Red Dyes

It is important to differentiate between Red Dye No. 3 and other red colorants to avoid consumer confusion. Common alternatives include Red Dye No. 40, which is still legal, and historically, Red Dye No. 2 was also a subject of controversy.

Red Dye No. 2 (Amaranth)

Red Dye No. 2, or amaranth, was banned in the US in 1976 due to concerns about a potential link to tumors in rats from a Soviet study. Other studies were inconclusive, but the ban was implemented. This earlier ban is sometimes confused with the current regulation of Red 3.

Red Dye No. 40 (Allura Red AC)

Red Dye No. 40 is a separate dye from Red 3 and is currently approved by the FDA. Despite its legal status, Red 40 has faced controversy, with some studies suggesting a link to hyperactivity in sensitive children. It is subject to stricter regulations or bans in several other countries. Red 40 is often used by food companies as a replacement for Red 3.

Comparison of Red Dyes


Feature	FD&C Red No. 3 (Erythrosine)	FD&C Red No. 40 (Allura Red AC)	FD&C Red No. 2 (Amaranth)
Current Status (USA)	Banned for food & ingested drugs (effective 2027/2028)	Still approved by the FDA	Banned since 1976
Primary Concern	Linked to thyroid cancer in rats	Potential link to hyperactivity in some children	Suspected carcinogen in animal studies
Regulatory Action	Recent FDA ban in 2025 based on Delaney Clause	Reviewed by FDA but no ban imposed; regulated in other countries	Ban implemented in 1976
Replacement Use	Often replaced by Red 40 or natural alternatives	Frequently used to replace other red dyes	Initially replaced by Red 40 after its ban

Shifting Towards Natural and Healthier Alternatives

Growing consumer awareness of artificial dyes has led to a preference for natural food colors derived from fruits, vegetables, flowers, and spices. These often offer a safer and more nutritious alternative.

Beetroot: Provides a vibrant red or pink hue and is a common substitute in products like ice cream and candies.
Paprika Oleoresin: Offers a red-orange color derived from paprika.
Anthocyanins: Provide red and purple tones, extracted from sources like red cabbage or elderberry.
Carmine: A natural dye from cochineal insects, providing a powerful red, though not vegan.
Lycopene: Found in red fruits like tomatoes, offering red color and antioxidant benefits.

Many foods containing artificial dyes are highly processed. Choosing a diet rich in whole, unprocessed foods naturally minimizes exposure to artificial colors and provides greater nutritional value. Reading ingredient labels is essential for consumers to make informed decisions.

Conclusion

The ban on FD&C Red No. 3 is a significant step in food safety regulation, addressing a long-standing issue. It encourages consumers to be mindful of ingredients and highlights the trend towards cleaner food labeling. While dyes like Red 40 are still used, the demand for healthier, natural alternatives continues. A nutritious diet based on whole foods is the best way to limit consumption of artificial additives.

Center for Science in the Public Interest: Red 3: FDA finally bans cancer-causing food dye

Frequently Asked Questions

The US FDA announced a ban on FD&C Red No. 3 (erythrosine) in January 2025. This ban requires manufacturers to remove the dye from food and ingested drugs by January 2027 and January 2028, respectively.

The dye was banned due to the Delaney Clause, a federal law requiring the FDA to prohibit any food or color additive found to cause cancer in humans or animals. Red 3 was linked to thyroid cancer in animal studies in the 1980s.

No, Red Dye No. 40 (Allura Red AC) is a different dye and is not banned in the US. While it has also faced scrutiny, especially regarding potential links to hyperactivity in children, it remains on the FDA's approved list.

Before the ban, Red Dye No. 3 was commonly found in many foods, including brightly colored candies (especially holiday-themed ones), maraschino cherries, fruit cocktails, and some medications like gummy vitamins and cough syrups.

You can check the ingredient list on the product label for 'FD&C Red No. 3', 'Red 3', or 'Erythrosine'. The FDA requires manufacturers to list all color additives by their specific name.

Natural alternatives include beetroot juice or powder, paprika oleoresin, anthocyanins from sources like red cabbage or purple sweet potato, and carmine. Many companies are now reformulating their products using these ingredients.

Red Dye No. 2 (Amaranth) was banned by the FDA in 1976. This earlier ban was based on similar concerns about safety and a possible link to cancer in some animal studies.