You may have heard rumors of Red Dye 3 being banned by the FDA, and it’s officially happened. On January 15, 2025, the FDA has revoked previous authorization for use of this dye in food products. For some background; color additives in the United States must be approved for use by the FDA, and they must be used in small amounts.

What is Red 3?

Red Dye 3 is a synthetic coloring agent in food products. It is chemically called Erythrosine which is manufactured by iodination of fluorescein, and the condensation product of resorcinol and phthalic anhydride. Red Dye 3 is used in various foods and drinks and gives the product a bright red coloring. It’s commonly seen in products like cookies, candies, frozen desserts, frostings, and certain medications.

The Banning and It’s Meaning

The banning of Red 3 comes from a study published in 2022, which found that rats exposed to high levels of the dye experienced cancer at higher than normal rates. The dye was shown to change a hormonal mechanism in the rats, which induced various cancers. However studies in humans have not shown a connection between cancer and Red Dye 3. Although there is not connection in human studies, the banning comes from a clause in the Food and Drug Act, called the Delaney Clause. This clause prohibits FDA authorization of a food additive or color additive if it has been found to induce cancer in humans or animals, not both, arguing for the banning of the dye.

However, this banning does not mean the product will be immediately removed from our food products. The FDA has noted that food manufactures have until January 15, 2027 to remove the dye from their products. Medications that use the dye have until January 18, 2028 to remove the dye.

The Takeaway

The banning of Red Dye 3 will definitely make a change to our food products, but likely the dye will be replaced by use of another to replicate the color. The change is also not immediate, with changes not being required for at least two years. It’s unlikely this change will make a significant impact on any individuals health over time. However, the reduction of overall consumption of additives may prove to be beneficial. Overall, nutrition experts agree eating a variety of nutrient-dense foods will have the largest impact on health.

Looking to read more about the banning of Red Dye 3? Be sure to check out my post on Critically Dissecting Health Related News Articles before you go!

Rachel Brown

Rachel Brown is a Dietetics Student at Idaho State University. She is currently completing her bachelors degree and will be attending ISU for her Masters and Dietetic Internship come Fall of 2025. She plans to become a Registered Dietitian in the future.

Using her knowledge from her coursework and research, she helps write blogs for The Mother Road Dietitian. Outside of school, she volunteers at the Idaho State University Food Pantry and also works on her personal blog (www.rachelelieen.com) which she used to learn about social media marketing, website design, and SEO. In her spare time, Rachel loves to workout, see friends, and travel!