Full list of UK foods containing ‘Red Dye 3’ – as US health chiefs BAN chemicals linked to cancer

US health chiefs this week banned red food coloring No. 3 in foods – amid growing fears that the food dye could cause cancer and cause developmental problems in children.

The additive – which gives foods and drinks a bright cherry red color – was removed from use in cosmetics by US regulators in 1990 after a study found that high doses caused cancer in rats.

But it was still added to a range of products, including cakes, cereals, drinks and even bacon-flavored sprinkles and some medicines.

Announcing the move, the US regulator, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), said it considered the action a “matter of law” but downplayed the risks, saying there was no conclusive evidence that the dye can cause cancer in humans. causes.

Manufacturers have been given until January 2027 to reformulate recipes to remove red dye No. 3.

The move comes more than three decades after the EU’s Scientific Committee for Food (SCF) recommended restricting the use of the dye, also known as erythrosine or E127, in Britain and Europe.

However, it is permitted to use ‘in specified quantities’ in specific products, including preserved cherries (also called maraschino cherries), candied cherries and products containing them as an ingredient.

It is also approved for use in pet food, medicines and toothpastes.

In Britain, E127 is permitted for use ‘in specified quantities’ in specific products including preserved cherries (also called maraschino cherries), glazed cherries and products containing them as ingredients

The alarm was first raised decades ago after researchers discovered that laboratory rats fed a four percent erythrosine diet for three months developed thyroid tumors.

In response, the FDA ordered it removed from shampoos, lipsticks and blushers, but said that because the risk was “small,” it could be added to foods.

Research has also shown that children given erythrosine developed hyperactive behavior.

Experts have also previously warned that children may be particularly sensitive to smaller amounts of the chemical due to their lower body weight.

In 2011, the SCF set an acceptable daily intake (ADI) of 0.1 mg or less erythrosine per kilogram of body weight per day – meaning a 70 kg adult could safely consume 7 mg.

In there accompaniment it also noted that the effect seen in rats was “of limited relevance to humans” and cited two studies in which human volunteers were given 200 mg erythrosine daily for two weeks as evidence of its safety.

Alan Boobis, emeritus professor of toxicology at Imperial College London, urged the public not to panic over the FDA ban.

‘Based on what we’ve seen so far, I don’t think people should worry too much about E127 in terms of cancer – what we saw in the rats won’t happen in humans because of the difference in the way the thyroid gland works. works,” he said.

Although erythrosine is not widely used, it can be found in a wide range of products on UK supermarket shelves. Pictured: Opies Cocktail Cherries (225g), sold for less than £3

Although erythrosine is not widely used, it can be found in a wide range of products on UK supermarket shelves. Pictured: Opies Cocktail Cherries (225g), sold for less than £3

Pictured: Nature's best fruit cocktail in juice (400 g)

Pictured: Del Monte fruit cocktail in light syrup (227 g)

Pictured left: Nature’s Finest Fruit Cocktail in juice (400 g) and right, Del Monte Fruit Cocktail in light syrup (227 g)

Pictured: Del Monte fruit cocktail in juice (415 g)

Pictured, Epicure Fruit Cocktail in Fruit Juice (411 g)

Pictured on the left: Del Monte fruit cocktail in juice (415 g) and on the right Epicure fruit cocktail in fruit juice (411 g)

Research has also shown that children given erythrosine developed hyperactive behavior. Pictured, Dole Fruit Salad 4-pack fruit snack (4 x 113 g)

Research has also shown that children given erythrosine developed hyperactive behavior. Pictured, Dole Fruit Salad 4-pack fruit snack (4 x 113 g)

‘However, there is a problem with some food colorings and behavioral problems in children, which could be one of the reasons their use was restricted in the 1990s.’

Although erythrosine is not widely used in Britain, it can be found in a wide range of products on supermarket shelves.

Below are the foods and drinks that currently contain erythrosine/E127:

Fruits

Opies Cocktail Cherries (225g)

Del Monte Fruit Cocktail in Juice (415g)

Del Monte Fruit Cocktail in Light Syrup (227g and 420g)

Nature’s Finest Fruit Cocktail in Juice (400g)

Epicure Fruit Cocktail in Fruit Juice (411g)

Dole Fruit Salad 4 Pack Fruit Snack (4 x 113 g)

Experts have previously warned that children may be particularly sensitive to smaller amounts of the chemical due to their lower body weight. Pictured: Brace's 4 Scones Cherry & Sultana

Experts have previously warned that children may be particularly sensitive to smaller amounts of the chemical due to their lower body weight. Pictured: Brace’s 4 Scones Cherry & Sultana

Pictured: Irwin's Together Fruit Bread (400g)

Pictured: cherry scones from Ashers Baking Co

On the left of the photo Irwin’s Together Fruit Loaf (400g) and on the right Ashers Baking Co Cherry Scones

Baked goods

Brace’s 4 Scones Cherry & Sultana

Iceland The Daily Bakery 4 Cherry & Sultana Scones

Ashers Baking Co cherry scones

Irwin’s Together Fruit Bread (400g)

Pictured, Boots Max Strength Cold & Flu Relief Day & Night Capsules

Pictured: Lemsip Max Day and Night Capsules for Colds and Flu

Pictured left, Boots Max Strength Cold & Flu Relief Day and Night Capsules and right, Lemsip Max Day & Night Cold & Flu Relief Capsules

Pictured: Lemsip Max cold and flu capsules

Pictured: Galpharm Max Strength Cold & Flu Capsules

Pictured left, Lemsip Max Cold & Flu Capsules and right, Galpharm Max Strength Cold & Flu Capsules

Pictured: Galpharm Cold & Flu Day and Night Max Strength capsules

Pictured: Galpharm Cold & Flu Day and Night Max Strength capsules

Medicines and toiletries

Boots Max Strength Cold & Flu Relief Day & Night Capsules

Galpharm Max Strength Cold & Flu Capsules

Galpharm Cold and flu capsules for day and night maximum strength

Lemsip Max Day & Night Capsules for colds and flu

Lemsip Max cold and flu capsules

Nizoral anti-dandruff treatment (60 ml and 100 ml)