You'd be surprised at how many grocery store staples use Red No. 3.
The FDA Just Banned Use of Red No. 3 in Food and Drinks
Published on Jan. 15, 2025
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said today that it will ban the use of Red No. 3 dye in food products. You know this synthetic color from all sorts of things—including strawberry milk, fruit cups, candy and baking products, like sprinkles and frostings.
What is Red Dye No. 3?
Red No. 3 is a synthetic food dye made from petroleum. It’s often used to make things bright red, but can also make things bright pink, like peppermint ice cream or pink lemonade.
Research shows that this particular red dye causes cancer in rats. No study has proven that Red No. 3 causes cancer in humans, but cancer in animals is reason enough for the FDA to ban it. There is some precedent for this: Red No. 3 is already banned for food use in Europe, except for use in cocktail and candied cherries.
What foods use Red No. 3?
This color is used in more than 3,000 products found at grocery stores, according to Environmental Working Group. You can sometimes find Red No. 3 on the ingredients lists for:
- Sprinkles
- Candy corn
- Candy canes
- Pink lemonade
- Fruit cups
- Nutrition shakes
- Cookies
- Cereal
- Strawberry milk
- Marshmallows
It also appears in savory foods, like bacon bits, beef sticks and sausage.
When will the changes happen?
Food brands that use Red No. 3 have until January 15, 2027 to find an alternative. Plenty of manufacturers in the United States already use Red No. 40, which is still approved by the FDA. Carmine, a bright red dye made from crushed cochineal bugs, is also popular. Other options include concentrates from red and purple sweet potatoes or beets.
