Ingredients used in manufactured foods, beverages, and drugs will continue to be a hot topic of discussion in the coming years. Today, the FDA took a significant step by banning a widely used dye found in many popular products in Minnesota.

This dye, known as Red No. 3 or Erythrosine, was first approved for use in food, drugs, and cosmetics in the United States in 1906. It remained popular for decades until the 1970s and 1980s when research began to suggest it could cause cancer.

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By 1990, the FDA banned the use of Red 3 in cosmetics, but it continued to be used in food, beverages, and drugs.

Red 3 vs. Red 40: A Synthetic Swap

Many manufacturers have already reformulated their products to remove Red 3, often replacing it with Red 40, another synthetic dye. However, Red 40 has its own controversies, as studies have linked it to hyperactivity in children.

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Deadlines for Red 3 Removal

The FDA has now mandated that food and beverage manufacturers must remove Red 3 from their products by January 15, 2027. Ingested drug manufacturers have a slightly extended deadline of January 18, 2028.

FDA Says Red 3 is Not Dangerous

Despite research suggesting that Red 3 may be carcinogenic, the FDA clarified in their announcement that: "Claims that the use of FD&C Red No. 3 in food and in ingested drugs puts people at risk are not supported by the available scientific information."

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As your shopping, here are some item to be aware of that currently contain Red 3, and will have to take steps to remove it or forced being banned from sale in the United States.

Popular Products That Contain Recently Banned Red Dye 3

The FDA announced that it is no longer allowing the use of Red No. 3, a synthetic dye used to provide a bright pink or cherry-red color to foods, so these products must change their recipe, or risk being banned.

Gallery Credit: Tony Hart

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