A decades-long battle over a controversial synthetic food dye reaches its conclusion as federal regulators take decisive action.
According to NBC News, the Food and Drug Administration announced Wednesday its decision to ban Red No. 3, an artificial coloring agent present in thousands of food products, citing evidence linking it to cancer in laboratory animals.
The synthetic dye, which has been used since 1907 to give foods and beverages their signature bright red cherry color, is found in more than 9,200 food items, including popular products like candy, cereals, and fruit cocktails. The ban marks a significant victory for consumer advocacy groups and lawmakers who have long campaigned for its removal from the food supply.
The agency's move comes after extensive research dating back to the 1980s revealed tumors in male rats exposed to high doses of Red No. 3.
Despite banning the additive in cosmetics in 1990 under the Delaney Clause, the FDA had allowed its continued use in food products until now. The decision addresses what Dr. Peter Lurie, president of the Center for Science in the Public Interest, describes as a regulatory paradox.
Jim Jones, the FDA's deputy commissioner for human foods, explained the agency's position. He stated:
The FDA cannot authorize a food additive or color additive if it has been found to cause cancer in human or animals. Evidence shows cancer in laboratory male rats exposed to high levels of FD&C Red No. 3.
Food manufacturers will have until January 15, 2027, to reformulate their products, while companies producing ingested drugs and dietary supplements will receive an additional year to comply with the new regulations.
California and ten other states have already taken steps to restrict or ban Red No. 3, joining international jurisdictions such as Australia, Japan, and the European Union. This state-level momentum has contributed to the FDA's national action. The movement has gained bipartisan support, with both Democratic and Republican lawmakers expressing approval of the ban.
Consumer advocacy groups have praised the FDA's decision while calling for scrutiny of other artificial food colorings. Melanie Benesh, vice president for government affairs at the Environmental Working Group, offered her perspective:
This is a big win for consumers, that this cancer-causing chemical is finally going to be out of the food supply. It is long overdue.
Industry representatives, including the Consumer Brands Association and the National Confectioners Association, have indicated their commitment to comply with the new regulations while emphasizing their focus on food safety and scientific evidence.
The ban's timing coincides with broader changes in the food industry, as many manufacturers have already begun removing artificial dyes from their products in response to consumer demands. The FDA's decision affects one of thirty-six FDA-approved color additives, nine of which are synthetic dyes.
The agency's action may signal increased scrutiny of other food additives. While the current ban focuses on cancer risks, concerns about behavioral effects in children linked to artificial food dyes remain under investigation. The FDA's 2011 review of the connection between artificial dyes and hyperactivity in children found no conclusive causal relationship.
The FDA's ban on Red No. 3 represents the culmination of decades of advocacy and scientific research highlighting the risks of this synthetic food dye. The decision, which affects thousands of food products containing the petroleum-based coloring agent, gives manufacturers until early 2027 to reformulate their products. As states and international markets continue to lead the way in restricting potentially harmful food additives, this federal action suggests a growing momentum toward stricter food safety regulations in the United States.
