The FDA has recently decided to put a ban on red dye No. 3 although the petition proposing the ban first appeared in October of 2022 after being petitioned by 23 other organizations. The petition had requested the FDA to review data and other information from various tests revolving around red dye No.3, including tests run on male laboratory rats that showed high levels of cancer due to a hormonal mechanism that occurs.

The cancer studied in male rats was shown to be thyroid cancer although red dye No. 3 and other artificial food coloring have also been tested to show neuro-behavioral problems in children. The FDA has given manufacturers until January 15th, 2027 or January 18th, 2028 to change their formulas in a way that does not include red dye No. 3. Nearly 30 years ago in 1990, red dye No. 3 was banned from being used in cosmetics and the FDA then had stated that they would work to ban its use in food. But it’s now 35 years later and we’ve barely taken the first steps to ban it and by the time the dye is removed from shelves across the US it’ll be 38 years later from the first initial statement.

Red dye No. 3 is used in the foods listed below, candy corn, majority of protein shakes, ice pops, sausages, lollipops, puddings, jellos, vegetarian synthetic meats, bacon bits, strawberry milk,  jellybeans, colored beverages, gummy bears, etc. Within this past year the state of California passed a law banning the use of artificial dyes, blue 1, blue 2, green 3, yellow 5, yellow 6, and red 40 in public schools due to harmful components being found.

Many people throughout the US are now questioning the safety of dyes meant to be consumed by the average american and the long-term affects that may occur. The future of artificial food coloring looks a bit uncertain as more and more people are demanding change and the ban of dyes such as red 40 after more and more tests are coming back showing results of organ damage, cancer, birth defects, neurobehavioral problems, and even allergic reactions in people and animals.