On Wednesday, the Food and Drug Administration officially put a ban on a red dye called Red 3. This controversial dye first made headlines nearly 35 years ago. At that time, Red 3 was barred from being used in cosmetics because of a potential cancer risk. This potential was found in lab rats who seemed to get cancer from Red 3.
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Despite this realization, there are still doubts when it comes to whether or not Red 3 can actually cause cancer in humans. Still, the FDA’s decision makes the United States just another country on a growing list of places banning the dye from foods, dietary supplements, and oral medicines. It is also banned from food in Europe, Australia, and New Zealand, with the exception of certain cherries.
Food manufacturers have until January 2027 to remove Red 3 from their products. On the contrary, makers of ingested drugs have until January 2028. In the meantime, some people may want to try and avoid the banned red dye, if possible. While it is in more food and drugs than we realize (9,201 products at least), there are ways to lessen your consumption.
Here’s What You Need to Know About the FDA’s Ban on a Popular Red Dye
For starters, it’s helpful to learn what to look for when checking an item’s ingredients. The dye could be listed as one of the following: FD&C Red No. 3, FD&C Red 3, and Red 3. Plus, the list below can give you an idea of what products tend to contain this red coloring.
- Bacon bits
- Candy — examples: Brach’s Candy Corn, Jelly Belly, Pez Assorted Fruit
- Colored beverages
- Desserts — examples: Fruit by the Foot, Toaster pastries, and Entenmann’s Little Bites Party Cake Mini Muffins
- Frostings
- Frozen deserts, particularly those with strawberry flavoring
- Fruit cocktails
- Maraschino cherries
- Protein shakes
- Puddings
- Sausages
- Strawberry milk
- Vegetarian meats
There is also a list of common drugs that may contain Red 3. This includes:
- Acetaminophen, a pain reliever
- Fluoxetine, an antidepressant
- Gabapentin, an anticonvulsant
- Andomeprazole, which treats heartburn
While these lists aren’t exhaustive, they’re a good place to start when considering your Red 3 consumption. Ultimately, it’s best to check the ingredients in the products you consume to know for sure.
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