The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced Wednesday that it is banning Red No. 3, a common artificial food dye linked to cancer.
The dye was banned by the FDA in cosmetics and topical drugs in 1990 after it was found to promote tumor growth in rats, but it remains widely used in hundreds of products, from candy to ADHD medications. There is. The move comes ahead of the Senate’s decision to confirm Robert F. Kennedy Jr., an opponent of food coloring, as secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
“Red No. 3 is a synthetic food coloring that gives foods and drinks a bright cherry red color. Red No. 3 is primarily used in candy, cakes, cupcakes, cookies, frozen desserts, and certain other food products. frosting and icing, and certain ingested drugs,” the FDA said in an official document. statement.
Today, FDA responded to the 2022 Color Additive Petition, which asked FDA to review whether the Delaney Provision applies, and issued an order revoking the authorization for use of FD&C Red No. 3 in food and ingested drugs. issued. https://t.co/Qd0NFOIUz8 pic.twitter.com/Bpr6XNC8OR
— US FDA Human Food Program (@FDAfood) January 15, 2025
This decision will continue in 2022 petition Several health advocacy groups, including the Center for Science in the Public Interest, filed a petition asking the agency to ban Red 3 based on research showing a link between Red 3 and cancer. The FDA stated that the risks associated with Red No. 3 in rats are of less concern in humans. (Related): Exclusive: HealthShare organization urges incoming Trump administration to make ‘fundamental’ changes to FDA and healthcare system
“Two studies have shown that rat-specific hormonal mechanisms of cancer occur in male laboratory rats exposed to high concentrations of FD&C Red No. 3,” the FDA statement said. “The mechanism by which FD&C Red No. 3 causes cancer in male rats does not occur in humans. The relevant exposure levels to FD&C Red No. 3 in humans are typically those that cause the effects shown in male rats. much lower than that.”
President Kennedy has long opposed the use of food dyes and other artificial ingredients, such as seed oils. The aspiring Health Department secretary said banning dyes such as Red No. 3 would be the “first thing he would do” if he joined a second Trump administration.
“The first thing I’ll do is just tell the grain companies to remove all the coloring from their food, so it won’t cost you anything,” Kennedy said. said During an appearance on “Fox & Friends” in October.
The FDA said food manufacturers and oral drug manufacturers are required to reformulate dye-free products by January 15, 2027 and January 18, 2028, respectively.
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