Food Coloring Red 3

The dye, known for its bright cherry-red color, is found in candies, snack cakes, maraschino cherries, and some beverages. Here's why the U.S. FDA kicked off 2025 with a ban on red dye 3, saying this common food dye must be removed from all foods and medications.

Over 35 years after the first study linking the artificial food dye Red 3 to thyroid cancer in rats was published, the U.S. is beginning to phase it out of foods and drugs. What is Red Dye No.

3? Red Dye No. 3 is an artificial food coloring derived from petroleum, commonly added to foods, drinks, supplements and drugs to create an appealing cherry. The FDA is actively reviewing a petition filed for FD&C Red No.

3, which is authorized for use as a color additive in food and ingested drugs. The color additive that adds a bright cherry-red color to many store-bought desserts, drinks, vitamins, and more has officially been banned by the FDA. Here's what to know about the decision, including when affected products are expected to change.

In January 2025, Red No. 3 was officially banned by the US Food and Drug Administration. The food coloring found in many red foods has been tied to thyroid cancer.

Red dye 40 is a different form of red food coloring. Like red dye no. 3, it's also made from petroleum.

But it doesn't contain iodine. Currently, red dye 40 is considered less harmful than red dye no. 3.

But some individual states have also banned red dye 40 in food products. Here is what to know about Red 3 and the products that contain it. What is Red 3? Red 3 is a petroleum-based synthetic food dye that gives foods and drinks a bright, cherry.

Red No. 3, also known as FD&C Red No. 3 and erythrosine, is used to dye food and drinks in a bright cherry-red color.

It was banned from use in cosmetics and externally applied medications such as ointments in 1990 because of the link to cancer. 1 However, the FDA delayed the ban in foods and oral medicines until this week.