7 Things You Need to Know About Red No. 3

The Epoch Times Header

The food dye ban that’s been over 30 years in the making could affect other dyes and your pocketbook.

For over 30 years, Red No. 3—a synthetic dye banned in cosmetics for its cancer risks—was still allowed in food and medication. Now, that long-standing contradiction is finally being resolved.

On Jan. 15, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) banned Red No. 3 from food and ingested drugs, pointing to animal studies that link the dye to cancer. This decision, rooted in the Delaney Clause, which prohibits cancer-causing additives, signals a growing concern about synthetic food dyes—even as debate continues over their actual risks to humans.

As companies look for alternatives, here’s what you need to know about the ban and how it could affect your food and health.

1. What Is Red No. 3, and Where Is It Commonly Found?

Red No. 3, or erythrosine, is a synthetic dye that creates a bright, cherry-red hue in foods, beverages, and medications. It’s also found in unexpected items like almonds, tortilla chips, fruit cups, and beef sticks. Even nutritional meal replacement shakes contain the dye, raising questions about its necessity in products where color seems secondary.

According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), a nonprofit that promotes transparency in consumer goods, Red No. 3 appears in at least 3,023 products listed in its database.

While the current focus is on its use in foods and drugs, Red No. 3 has also appeared in dietary supplements, cosmetics, and pet food.

2. Why Is Red No. 3 Considered Risky?

Red No. 3 has been scrutinized for decades. In the 1980s, studies linked high doses of the dye to thyroid cancer in male rats, prompting the FDA to ban it in cosmetics and topical drugs by 1990. Yet despite these findings, it remained legal in foods and ingested medications.

Beyond cancer risks, synthetic dyes like Red No. 3 have been linked to behavioral and attention issues in children. Some research suggests these dyes may worsen hyperactivity in sensitive individuals, fueling demand for natural alternatives. While the evidence remains inconclusive, the concerns have shaped public opinion on food additives.

By Sheramy Tsai, Amy Denne

The Epoch Times
The Epoch Timeshttps://www.theepochtimes.com/
Tired of biased news? The Epoch Times is truthful, factual news that other media outlets don't report. No spin. No agenda. Just honest journalism like it used to be.

Columns

A Simple Question

What is a woman? Anyone with an IQ above room temperature can answer the question. Everyone, that is, except Democrats.

Democrats Tesla Takedown is a Proven Astro Turf Movement

Elon Musk and other journalistic leaders like Joe Rogan have been asking the critical question, “Who is behind the organization of these Tesla protests?”

Can Ramaphosa and Trump Come to Terms?

Whether South Africa can quell the hostility emanating from Washington, without compromising on its national priorities, is a formidable test for a country

Maddened Europe

Viable prospects for peaceful settlement of conflict between Moscow and Kyiv exist, but Europe obsesses over threat of incursion onto European territory.

BOMBSHELL: DOGE Proves Democrats Guilty of Election Fraud!

As the old expression goes, “That didn’t take long!” Over...

News

FTC Chairman Raises Concerns Over Sale of 23andMe DNA Data

FTC said it was worried about the safety of the personal data of Americans who were previously customers of genetic testing company 23andMe.

Judge Dismisses COVID Lawsuit Against Former New York Gov. Cuomo

Judge dismissed class-action lawsuit against former Gov. Andrew Cuomo that blamed his admin for COVID-19 deaths in nursing homes across NY.

Tesla Firebombing Suspect Hit With Federal Charges

The U.S. Dept of Justice has filed federal charges against a suspect in connection with a firebombing attack on a Tesla dealership in Loveland, Colorado.

What to Expect From Trump’s Global Tariffs

Trump has dubbed April 2 “Liberation Day,” when he will unveil reciprocal tariffs to level the trading field between the United States and its 200 partners.

Voters Head to Polls in 3 Key Elections in Florida, Wisconsin: What to Watch For

On April 1, voters head to the polls for three races in Florida and Wisconsin, with substantial implications for the future beyond the current contests.

DNC, Schumer Sue Trump Over Order Targeting Illegal Immigrant Voting

DNC and two top U.S. lawmakers sued President Trump over a recent EO that aims to enforce the law against illegal immigrant voting and election dates.

Court Halts Trump Admin’s Move to Revoke Protected Status of Venezuelans

Federal judge in CA put a pause on the Trump admin’s plan to terminate TPS of 350,000 Venezuelan immigrants, whose legal status was set to expire on April 7.
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories

MAGA Business Central