Foods in the US That Have Red Dye 3 (Erythrosine)

November 16, 2025 •

3 min read

In a significant regulatory shift, the FDA officially banned FD&C Red No. 3 from the U.S. food supply on January 15, 2025, after decades of debate. This decision, prompted by concerns over potential cancer risks, impacts a wide range of products that previously contained the color additive known as erythrosine. Understanding which foods have Red Dye 3 is crucial for consumers navigating these changes.

Quick Summary

The FDA has banned Red Dye 3 from food and ingested drugs, following decades of use in a wide variety of brightly colored products. Manufacturers have until January 2027 to reformulate foods that have Red Dye 3, affecting items like candy, snack cakes, and beverages. Consumers can find specific examples by checking ingredient labels.

Key Points

FDA Ban: The FDA banned Red Dye 3 from food and ingested drugs in January 2025, with manufacturers having until early 2027 to reformulate.
Affected Products: The ban impacts a wide array of products, including candies like Pez and Jelly Belly, baked goods like snack cakes, strawberry milk, ice pops, and maraschino cherries.
Check Labels: Consumers should read ingredient lists for "FD&C Red No. 3" on products that may have been manufactured before the ban's effective date.
California's Role: California's 2023 ban on Red Dye 3 and other additives was instrumental in spurring the federal government's final action.
Alternatives: Manufacturers are transitioning to natural colorings from sources like beets and radishes to replace the synthetic dye.
Distinguish from Red 40: Red Dye 3 is not Red Dye 40; the latter remains legal, though some advocates raise separate concerns.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has officially ended the use of Red Dye No. 3 (Erythrosine) in food and ingested drugs, effective January 2025. This ban, requiring manufacturers to find alternative colorings, includes a transition period extending to January 2027 for food. Historically, this synthetic color additive was widely used, and consumers should be aware of products that may still contain Red Dye 3 during this time.

Products Formerly Containing Red Dye 3

Red Dye 3 was used across numerous food categories to achieve vibrant red and pink hues. Consumers should check ingredient lists during the transition period.

Candies and Confections

Many candies known for their bright red color previously contained Red Dye 3. Examples of products that formerly contained the dye include:

Pez Assorted Fruit
Brach's Candy Corn and Valentine's hearts
Jelly Belly candies
Trolli Sour Crunchy Crawlers
Original Dubble Bubble gum
Certain gummy candies and fruit snacks

Baked Goods, Desserts, and Frostings

The dye was common in red velvet cakes and brightly colored frostings. Products that previously included it are now subject to reformulation:

Entenmann's Little Bites Party Cake Mini Muffins
Betty Crocker Fruit by the Foot
Cookies and toaster pastries with red icing or sprinkles
Frostings and decorating gels

Dairy, Frozen Products, and Beverages

Strawberry-flavored dairy items, frozen desserts, and various drinks also utilized Red Dye 3 for color enhancement. Examples of products previously containing the dye include:

Strawberry-flavored milk and milkshakes
Certain brands and flavors of ice cream and frozen yogurt
Ice pops and frozen fruit bars
Yoo-hoo Strawberry Drink
Some sodas and fruit-flavored beverages
PediaSure Strawberry Shake

Other Foods

Beyond sweets and drinks, Red Dye 3 was found in other items like maraschino cherries, some fruit cocktails, imitation bacon bits, sausages, and protein shakes.

Impact of the FDA Ban

The FDA's decision, effective January 2025, aligns with the Delaney Clause, which prohibits food additives shown to cause cancer in animal studies. Research from the 1980s linked Red Dye 3 to thyroid cancer in rats.

Alternatives and Reformulation

Manufacturers are now seeking alternative colorings, often from natural sources like beet juice, purple sweet potato, radish, and carmine. Companies like Mars and General Mills have already started removing artificial colors.

Comparison of Red Dyes: Red 3 vs. Red 40

It's important to differentiate Red Dye 3 from Red Dye 40. While Red 3 is banned, Red 40 remains legal in the US and is a common alternative. Red 40 has not been linked to cancer, though concerns exist regarding potential behavioral effects in children.


Feature	Red Dye 3 (Erythrosine)	Red Dye 40 (Allura Red AC)
Status in US	Banned for food/ingested drugs (as of 2025)	Currently allowed for food/ingested drugs
Chemical Type	Synthetic, petroleum-based	Synthetic, petroleum-based
Health Concerns	Linked to thyroid cancer in rat studies	Concerns about behavioral issues in some children
Common Use	Formerly used in candies, cherries, baked goods	Widely used in beverages, snacks, cereals, and candies

Reading Ingredient Labels

Until the January 2027 deadline, look for "FD&C Red No. 3" or "Red Dye 3" on ingredient labels.

Conclusion

The FDA's ban on Red Dye 3 eliminates an additive linked to cancer in animal studies. While the ban is effective, the transition period means products with the dye may still be available until early 2027, making label checking essential. The move towards natural alternatives reflects a push for safer food ingredients.

How to Avoid Red Dye 3

Check labels for "FD&C Red No. 3" or "Red Dye 3".
Prioritize unprocessed foods which are free from artificial dyes.
Use natural colorings for homemade items.
Look for reformulated products using alternative colors.

This regulatory change supports informed consumer choices and encourages the food industry to adopt safer practices.

Frequently Asked Questions

Red Dye 3, also known as Erythrosine or FD&C Red No. 3, is a synthetic, petroleum-based color additive formerly used in foods, ingested drugs, and cosmetics to produce a bright cherry-red color.

The FDA banned Red Dye 3 for use in food based on the Delaney Clause, following animal studies in the 1980s that linked the dye to thyroid cancer in rats. The ban was enacted in January 2025, decades after its use was prohibited in cosmetics.

Manufacturers have until January 2027 to reformulate food products to remove Red Dye 3. Until then, products manufactured before the ban's effective date may still be available for purchase.

You can check the ingredient label for "FD&C Red No. 3" or "Erythrosine." Per FDA rules, companies must list the specific name of this color additive on the packaging.

Red Dye 3 is the color additive recently banned by the FDA due to cancer concerns, while Red Dye 40 remains a legally permitted food color additive in the U.S. and is much more common in today's products.

Many companies are switching to natural colorings sourced from ingredients like beets, purple sweet potatoes, radishes, and carmine, a dye derived from insects.

Yes, California became the first state to ban Red Dye 3 and other additives in 2023, with its law taking effect in 2027. This state-level action helped push the federal government to issue a nationwide ban.