The U.S. recently banned Red No. 3, a common food dye that has been used in various candies, sodas, medications, and other products.
Red No. 3 has no nutritional value, and it doesn’t change the flavor or texture of dishes, so its impact is purely cosmetic. The FDA decided it was no longer safe because they found evidence of it causing cancer in rats.
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“Red dye no. 3 is something that the food manufacturers have used. It’s a petroleum-based chemical, which now, because it’s being banned, has actually had a positive correlation to cause cancer in rats. So, there are no human studies that have shown this, but there is strong evidence that it does have cancer causing properties based on the petroleum that it’s made out of.”
Beth Czerwony, RD, registered dietitian with Cleveland Clinic
Many other countries have already banned the dye from being added to foods. In the U.S., manufacturers have until 2027 to omit the use of the dye in their products, so you may continue to see it included in the ingredients of many foods in the meantime.
“A lot of foods that are going to have this red dye are already processed. They’re going to be in cereals, snacks and sugar-laden beverages and those types of things. So, ultimately, those are things that we would want you to avoid or limit in your diets anyway."
Beth Czerwony, RD, registered dietitian with Cleveland Clinic
While there has not been any concrete evidence that has shown red no. 3 causes cancer in humans, the Cleveland Clinic has advised you to continue to primarily shop for whole foods, and avoid processed products that would typically include the dye.
