The Answer to: What Food Additive Was Banned?

November 13, 2025 •

3 min read

In early 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a ban on Red No. 3 for use in food and ingested drugs, providing a clear and recent answer to what food additive was banned in the United States. This ban follows similar legislative actions in states like California and highlights a growing movement toward scrutinizing the long-term health effects of synthetic ingredients.

Quick Summary

Several food additives have been banned due to evolving scientific evidence and health concerns. Bans have included Red No. 3, potassium bromate, trans fats, and brominated vegetable oil.

Key Points

Recent Federal Ban on Red No. 3: The FDA banned the use of Red No. 3 (erythrosine) in food and ingested drugs in 2025 due to animal studies linking it to thyroid cancer.
End of Artificial Trans Fats: The FDA determined in 2015 that partially hydrogenated oils (artificial trans fats) were not safe, leading to a mandatory phase-out by 2018 due to their link to heart disease.
California's Leadership: States like California have enacted bans on several food additives, including potassium bromate and brominated vegetable oil, ahead of federal action, pushing manufacturers toward nationwide reformulations.
Potassium Bromate's Cancer Link: This dough improver, banned in many countries like the EU and Canada due to links with cancer in animals, is still federally legal in the U.S. but subject to state restrictions.
Factors Driving Change: Evolving scientific data, public awareness campaigns by advocacy groups, and state-level legislation are the primary forces driving the re-evaluation and banning of food additives.
Rise of Natural Alternatives: As synthetic additives are removed, food manufacturers are increasingly turning to natural colorants (like beet juice powder) and preservatives (like citric acid).

A History of Banning Risky Food Additives

Food additives are substances added to food to preserve flavor or enhance its taste, appearance, or other qualities. As scientific understanding of their potential health impacts evolves, regulatory bodies have, on many occasions, determined that certain additives pose unacceptable risks. These bans reflect a dynamic process involving scientific research, public advocacy, and regulatory action.

The Ban on Red Dye No. 3

One notable and recent ban involves Red Dye No. 3, also known as erythrosine. This petroleum-based coloring agent has been used for decades in thousands of food products. Concerns about its safety date back to the 1980s when studies linked high doses to thyroid cancer in male rats.

The FDA banned Red 3 in cosmetics and topically applied drugs in 1990. A federal ban on its use in food was finalized much later, taking effect in January 2025, prompted by continued pressure and state-level bans. The ban was triggered by the Delaney Clause, which prohibits additives found to cause cancer in animals or humans.

The Elimination of Artificial Trans Fats

A significant regulation involved the effective ban on artificial trans fats, also known as partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs). PHOs were widely used to improve the texture, flavor, and shelf life of processed foods. Evidence linked trans fat consumption to an increased risk of heart disease.

Initial Regulations: In 2006, the FDA required food labels to disclose trans fat content.
Full Ban: The FDA mandated their removal from all processed foods by June 2018, following a 2015 determination that PHOs were not “Generally Recognized as Safe” (GRAS).
Health Impact: The WHO highlights the elimination of industrially produced trans fats as a cost-effective public health intervention.

Restrictions on Potassium Bromate and Other Additives

Potassium bromate, a dough-improving agent, has been classified as a possible human carcinogen by the IARC.

International Bans: It's banned in numerous countries, including the EU, Canada, and Brazil.
U.S. Regulation: While not federally banned, many bakers voluntarily stopped using it, and California enacted a ban effective 2027.

Brominated Vegetable Oil (BVO), an emulsifier in citrus sodas, has been linked to neurological and developmental problems in animal studies, leading the FDA to propose a ban. California's 2023 Food Safety Act also banned BVO.

Comparison of Key Banned Additives


Additive	Primary Use	Reason for Ban	Key Banning Body	Status (US)
Red Dye No. 3	Colorant (red)	Cancer link in rats	FDA (2025), California (2023)	Banned (effective 2027)
Potassium Bromate	Dough Improver	Possible human carcinogen	European Union, Canada, California	Legal Federally, banned in CA (effective 2027)
Artificial Trans Fat	Extends shelf life, improves texture	Heart disease risk	FDA (2015)	Largely Banned (effective 2018)
Brominated Vegetable Oil (BVO)	Emulsifier in citrus drinks	Neurological and developmental risks	FDA (2025), California (2023)	Banned (effective Aug 2025), banned in CA (effective 2027)

The Driving Forces Behind Food Additive Bans

Bans are driven by evolving scientific data and increasing consumer awareness. Scientific understanding of long-term risks has expanded, challenging legacy regulations. Consumer advocacy groups have played a vital role in petitioning regulators and raising public awareness. Food manufacturers often respond to this pressure, sometimes proactively. State-level bans also incentivize nationwide product reformulation.

The Move Toward Natural Alternatives

Manufacturers are increasingly using natural alternatives to synthetic additives.

Natural Colorants: Beet juice powder and turmeric replace artificial dyes.
Natural Preservatives: Citric acid and natural fermentation methods are adopted.
Alternative Fats: Healthier oils like canola and olive oil have replaced PHOs.

Conclusion

Answering what food additive was banned reveals a dynamic process of scientific discovery, consumer pressure, and regulatory response. The history of food regulation shows efforts to improve safety, from artificial trans fats to the recent Red No. 3 ban. As regulatory systems adapt, public advocacy and state actions are becoming catalysts for change. This trend pushes manufacturers toward cleaner labels and safer ingredients. Checking ingredient lists is crucial for informed choices.

For more information on the safety evaluation process for food additives, visit the World Health Organization website: WHO Food Additives.

Frequently Asked Questions

Red Dye No. 3, or erythrosine, is a synthetic food coloring banned by the FDA in 2025 for use in food and ingested drugs. It was banned because studies from the 1980s showed it caused thyroid cancer in laboratory rats when consumed in high doses.

The FDA banned partially hydrogenated oils (artificial trans fats) in 2015 because extensive research confirmed they raise “bad” LDL cholesterol levels and significantly increase the risk of heart disease.

Potassium bromate is a dough-improving agent used in baked goods. It is classified as a possible human carcinogen by the IARC due to animal studies linking it to cancer, leading many countries and US states like California to ban it.

No, potassium bromate is not federally banned in the United States, although its use is discouraged and many manufacturers have phased it out. However, some states, notably California, have enacted their own bans.

BVO is an emulsifier used primarily in citrus-flavored beverages to keep flavorings from separating. It was banned by the FDA in 2025, with a compliance deadline in August, due to links with neurological and developmental issues in animal studies.

Although Red No. 3 was banned in cosmetics in 1990 due to cancer links, a food ban was delayed for over 30 years due to regulatory complexities and the FDA's interpretation of risk assessment. Renewed pressure from public health groups and state-level bans eventually spurred federal action.

To avoid banned or controversial additives, read ingredient labels carefully, as companies are required to list them. Look for products with cleaner labels, check lists from consumer advocacy groups like CSPI, and prioritize unprocessed or minimally processed foods.