What Popular Foods Use Red Dye No. 3? A Look at the FDA Ban

October 13, 2025 •

4 min read

Over 9,000 U.S. food products were found to contain red dye no. 3 (erythrosine), a synthetic color additive the FDA officially banned from use in food and ingested drugs in January 2025. This major regulatory change was prompted by decades-old evidence linking the dye to cancer in laboratory animals. For consumers, understanding what popular foods use red dye no. 3 is now more important than ever as manufacturers race to reformulate their products.

Quick Summary

Red dye no. 3, also known as erythrosine, is a synthetic color additive previously used in thousands of processed foods, including candies, baked goods, and beverages. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration banned its use in 2025 based on findings that it caused cancer in lab rats. This guide identifies the types of foods containing this dye and discusses the industry's shift to natural alternatives.

Key Points

The 2025 FDA Ban: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration officially banned Red Dye No. 3 for use in food and ingested drugs in January 2025.
Foods Affected: A wide range of processed items, including candies, maraschino cherries, frostings, and strawberry-flavored drinks, historically contained red dye no. 3.
Health Concerns: The ban stems from animal studies in the 1980s that linked the synthetic dye to thyroid cancer in rats.
Timeline for Reformulation: Food manufacturers must remove the dye from products by January 2027, with drug companies having until January 2028.
Natural Alternatives: Many companies are replacing red dye no. 3 with natural alternatives derived from plants and insects, such as beet juice and carmine.
How to Identify: Until the ban is fully implemented, consumers can find red dye no. 3 listed as "FD&C Red No. 3," "Red 3," or "erythrosine" on ingredient labels.

The FDA Ban on Red Dye No. 3

For decades, red dye no. 3 has been a staple in the food industry, providing a bright, cherry-red hue to a wide variety of products. However, its history is marked by controversy. Animal studies conducted in the 1980s linked the dye to thyroid cancer in male rats, prompting the FDA to ban its use in cosmetics and externally applied drugs in 1990. While the FDA indicated it would pursue a food ban at that time, it did not take further action for over 30 years.

This decades-long inaction ended in January 2025 when the FDA, responding to a petition from consumer advocacy groups like the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), finally revoked the dye's authorization for use in food and ingested drugs. The ban was mandated by the 1960 Delaney Clause, which prohibits additives found to cause cancer in animals or humans, regardless of the perceived risk to humans. This regulatory change brings the U.S. closer to the stricter standards already in place in Europe, Australia, and New Zealand, which have largely banned the dye since the 1990s.

What are popular foods that use red dye no. 3?

Before the ban, red dye no. 3 was ubiquitous in the American food supply, appearing in more than 9,000 branded food products. Many of these were ultra-processed foods that disproportionately appealed to children. Consumers could find the dye, often listed as "FD&C Red No. 3" or "Erythrosine," on the ingredient labels of a vast array of items.

Here are some of the most common product categories that contained red dye no. 3:

Candies and Confections: This category includes items like candy corn, certain varieties of gummy candies, jelly beans, conversation hearts, and chewing gum. The iconic Peeps marshmallow chicks also contained the dye, though the company Just Born removed it after Easter 2024.
Baked Goods and Frostings: The dye was frequently used in frostings, icings, cake decorating gels, and sprinkles to create vibrant colors. It was also present in some baked goods, like Entenmann's Little Bites and certain decorated cookies.
Frozen Desserts: Certain strawberry-flavored ice creams, frozen yogurts, and ice pops contained red dye no. 3 to enhance their appearance.
Fruit Products: Maraschino cherries, a classic item known for its vivid red color, were a significant source of red dye no. 3. The dye was also used in some fruit cocktails to color the cherries.
Beverages: Strawberry-flavored milk, some fruit-flavored drinks, and nutritional shakes often included the dye. Brands like Yoo-hoo and PediaSure previously used it.
Imitation Meats and Snacks: Lesser-known applications included imitation bacon bits, vegetarian bacon, and certain processed snacks. Some products like Vigo Saffron Yellow Rice also used it.

The Industry's Response and Natural Alternatives

With the FDA's ban, manufacturers have until January 2027 to reformulate their food products to remove red dye no. 3. Ingested drugs have a slightly longer timeline, with a deadline in January 2028. While the ban was decades in the making, many companies had already started phasing out the dye due to consumer demand and evolving state-level regulations. California, for instance, passed a state-wide ban on red dye no. 3 and other additives in 2023, which takes effect in 2027.

The transition away from synthetic dyes has spurred innovation in natural food colorants. Companies are now turning to plant-based ingredients to achieve vibrant colors without potential health risks. These alternatives often align with cleaner label trends, which appeal to health-conscious consumers.

Comparing Synthetic Red Dye No. 3 with Natural Alternatives


Feature	Red Dye No. 3 (Erythrosine)	Natural Colorants (e.g., Beetroot, Carmine)
Source	Petroleum-based	Fruits, vegetables, and insects
Health Concerns	Linked to thyroid tumors in rats; potential behavioral issues in children	Generally recognized as safe; some alternatives (e.g., carmine) may cause allergic reactions
Regulation	Banned in the U.S. (2025, phased in by 2027) and many other countries	Generally approved, though specific regulations may apply
Vibrancy	Provides a very stable, bright cherry-red color	Color intensity and stability can vary depending on the source, pH, and processing
Flavor Impact	Flavorless, designed for color only	May impart a subtle flavor to the final product
Cost	Generally cheaper than natural alternatives	Can be more expensive, contributing to higher product costs

How to Avoid Red Dye No. 3 Until the Ban is Complete

Until the ban fully takes effect in 2027, products containing red dye no. 3 will still be available on store shelves. For consumers who wish to avoid it, a simple but effective strategy is to read the ingredient labels carefully. The FDA requires manufacturers to list the dye explicitly. Look for "FD&C Red No. 3" or "Erythrosine" in the ingredients list.

Additionally, choosing whole, unprocessed foods like fresh fruits and vegetables is the best way to ensure your diet is free from all synthetic food colorings. When shopping for packaged goods, look for labels that explicitly state they use natural colorants or are dye-free. Many brands have already begun promoting their use of alternatives like beet juice or anthocyanins, and some have completely removed artificial dyes from their product lines. Staying informed about brand changes and product reformulations is key to navigating this transition period.

Conclusion

The FDA's ban on red dye no. 3 marks a significant shift in U.S. food safety policy, aligning with international standards and addressing decades-old health concerns. The list of popular foods that use red dye no. 3 is extensive, encompassing many candies, baked goods, and beverages that have been part of the American diet for generations. As manufacturers transition to natural, plant-based alternatives, consumers have an opportunity to make more informed choices about the ingredients in their food. By checking labels for "FD&C Red No. 3" or opting for naturally colored products, individuals can take proactive steps to avoid this synthetic additive in the interim. For official information, please consult the FDA's constituent updates.

Frequently Asked Questions

The FDA banned red dye no. 3 based on the Delaney Clause, a U.S. law that requires the prohibition of food additives found to cause cancer in either humans or animals. Animal studies in the 1980s showed the dye caused cancer in laboratory rats when ingested at high doses.

For food and beverages, manufacturers have until January 2027 to comply with the ban. Producers of ingested drugs have until January 2028.

Red dye no. 3 (erythrosine) and red dye no. 40 (Allura Red) are both synthetic food dyes, but they are different chemicals. While red dye no. 3 is being phased out due to cancer links, some companies have switched to red dye no. 40, which also has some associated health concerns and has been banned from California schools.

Yes. As the ban is being phased in, products containing red dye no. 3 may still be on store shelves until the January 2027 deadline. Many companies, however, have already moved to natural alternatives.

Common natural alternatives include beet juice or beet powder, purple sweet potato extract, red cabbage extract, carmine (derived from insects), and anthocyanins from various fruits and vegetables.

You can check the ingredient label of a product for "FD&C Red No. 3," "Red 3," or "erythrosine". For best results, it is recommended to search for products that explicitly state they are made with natural colors or are dye-free.

Yes, red dye no. 3 was banned for food use in Europe, Australia, and New Zealand many years prior to the U.S. ban. California also enacted its own state-level ban in 2023.

Some studies, including a 2021 report from California's Environmental Protection Agency, have associated red dye no. 3 and other synthetic dyes with adverse neurobehavioral effects in some children, such as hyperactivity and decreased attention. The European Union has also recognized these links.