Will the FDA Ban Red Dye 3? Controversial Food Additive Used in Candy, Drinks Under Scrutiny
December 17, 2024 | 1 min to read
Amid ongoing concerns about its potential cancer links, the red food dye known as red dye No. 3 faces possible ban in the United States as federal regulators review a petition. The FDA may finally take action against this common coloring used in many products, despite its past assertions of safety. Advocates argue for the ban due to its associations with health risks, particularly affecting children’s behavioral health.
Advocates have long called for its ban amid concerns that the food dye could be linked to cancer.
A red food dye prevalent in candies, drinks and other products could soon be banned in the United States if federal regulators side with a petition that is under review.
The Food and Drug Administration has signaled that it may finally crack down on the use of the additive known as red dye No. 3, an artificial dye that gives a cherry-red coloring to thousands of American products. While the FDA has claimed that red 3, like other additives the agency has approved, can be safe to consume, advocates have long called for its ban amid concerns that the food dye is linked to cancer and behavioral problems in children.
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