America bans cancer-linked food dye Red No 3… here’s the products on the chopping block

A red food coloring used in thousands of sweets, drinks and other processed foods has been banned because of its link to cancer.

Companies that use the dye have January 2027 to remove red dye No. 3, which creates the bright cherry-like color, from their foods.

The dye is present in about 26 percent of baking decorations and dessert toppings, 16 percent of gum and mints, 13 percent of candies and 11 percent of cookies and cookies.

The FDA agency said it considered the action a “matter of law” because some studies found the dye caused cancer in laboratory rats.

Companies that use the dye in medicines such as cough syrups have until January 2028 to remove it, according to the new FDA ruling.

Advocacy groups have been pressuring the government for years to ban the additive in foods, 35 years after the FDA banned it from cosmetics on health grounds.

The federal government’s ban mirrors a California ban that took effect in October 2023.

‘The FDA is taking action that would revoke the authorization for the use of… Red No. 3 in food and ingested medications,” said Jim Jones, the FDA’s deputy commissioner for human nutrition.

Colorants such as Red 3 are used to give candies their bright and vibrant colors. In addition to California, which has banned it, at least ten other states have moved to ban the additive in foods

‘There is evidence of cancer in male laboratory rats exposed to high levels of FD&C Red No.3.’

But Jones stressed that the way Red No 3 causes cancer in rats does not occur in humans, insisting it was a cautionary move.

The move mirrors a California ban on food dyes. At least ten other states have taken steps to ban the additive in foods.

Meanwhile, the National Confectioners Association said in a statement: “Our consumers and everyone in the food industry want and expect a strong FDA and a consistent, science-based national regulatory framework.”

“Our industry has been calling for years for more transparency, more funding, and more staff so that the FDA can continue to fulfill its mission, and it is time to put politics aside and work together to fund the FDA at a level that meets its enables to do that. continue his work.’

Vani Hari, a campaigner who has pushed Kelloggs to remove the coloring from its cereals, said: ‘The fact that Red No. 3 has been allowed in our food for more than 30 years, after being banned in cosmetics, is one of the best examples of how conflicts of interest have prevented the FDA from protecting the American people.”

A spokeswoman for the National Confectioners Association, which represents many candy companies, said: “Food safety is the number one priority for U.S. confectionery companies.

“We will continue to monitor and comply with FDA guidelines and safety standards.”

Red 3 can also be found in candies such as jelly beans. Red 3 has also been linked to potential behavioral problems such as hyperactivity, similar to red 40. And there is some evidence that red 3 affects hormone activity, contributing to thyroid problems.

She added, “Our consumers and everyone in the food industry want and expect a strong FDA and a consistent, science-based national regulatory framework.”

Red 3 can also be found in jelly beans, colored sprinkles, milk, juices, cake mixes, frozen yogurt, sports drinks and some meats.

There is no indication yet that food manufacturers will challenge the new rule, and they will have ample time to reformulate their products to comply with the rules.

Manufacturers could switch to using Red 40, which, along with Red 3, have been linked to numerous health problems.

Red 3 has been classified as a possible human carcinogen after previous studies showed a link with thyroid tumors in rats. After 70 male rats were given doses of red 3 equivalent to four percent of their diet during their lifetime, 15 rats developed thyroid tumors.

Red 3 has also been linked to possible behavioral problems such as hyperactivity, similar to red 40. And there is some evidence that red 3 affects hormone activity, contributing to thyroid problems.