Red dye used in foods can cause cancer: USFDA bans it as research raises alarm

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) has recently banned the use of Red No. 3, an artificial food colouring that has been shown to cause cancer in animal studies. Effective January 15, 2027, this dye will no longer be approved for use in foods or medications that are administered orally. The announcement follows decades-long consumer and health advocacy and is the latest in the agency's actions to address the dangers of synthetic food dyes.

Why the ban on Red No. 3?

Red No. 3, a dye used extensively in candies, sprinkles, and even medicines, has been under the scanner since the 1980s when it was banned from cosmetics after studies proved tumour growth in lab rats. However, it continues to be omnipresent in certain consumables that are consumed globally. In an official statement, the FDA stated that, even though there was no direct evidence that the dye caused cancer in humans, the Delaney Clause, a regulatory provision, prohibits any substance shown to cause cancer in humans or animals from being used in food.

The ban on Red No. 3 comes after a petition filed in 2022 by more than 20 consumer and health advocacy groups, including Public Citizen and the Environmental Working Group. Advocates such as former director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Linda Birnbaum, argued that artificial dyes are not essential, as they are non-essential.

The extent of red no. 3 use

Red No. 3 is commonly seen in many colourful items sold over counters of supermarkets throughout the U.S. Recently, the healthy food app GoCoCo released results from an analysis which indicated that close to 26 per cent of decoration and topping sold for baked treats and desserts contain this artificial dye. In addition to this, 16 per cent of chewing gum and mints contain it, while 13 per cent of candies and 11 per cent of cookies and biscuits also contain this drug. The colourant is found in different types of drugs.

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Global view
The FDA's decision brings out the stark difference in food safety regulations worldwide. The European Union only allows Red No. 3, called erythrosin, in limited applications for cocktails and candied cherries. Europe has more stringent review processes that led to broader bans on synthetic dyes.

The industry response
The food producers have begun changing their products for the new legislation. Prohibition aside, other artificial dyes are still allowed in the U.S., including Red No. 40, Yellow Nos. 5 and 6, and Blue Nos. 1 and 2. All of these are targeted as possible health hazards affecting children with hyperactivity and allergies.

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Future effects
The FDA's move signals growing scrutiny of artificial food dyes and could pave the way for stricter regulations on other synthetic additives. Advocacy groups argue that eliminating harmful ingredients is crucial for public health, especially with safer alternatives already available.

Increasing awareness in the public sector, it has been appealed that people should go for reading food product labels to have naturally coloured foodstuff as often as possible and consume a diet which is at minimal processing from harmful additives.


As important as the step may be to ban Red No. 3 for public health, the discussion about synthetic dyes has just begun. For now, though, this ban gives a glimpse of a healthier future for people across the world.



(Thumb image courtesy: iStock)