Have you ever seen bright pink or red food, makeup or medicine? Sometimes these products get their color from Red Dye No. 3, also known as Erythrosine or FD&C Red No. 3. This dye makes things look fun and colorful, but some people have concerns about whether it’s safe.
Red Dye No. 3 is banned in Europe but you can still find it in some foods, drinks and medications in the United States.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently issued
a ban on Red Dye No. 3, linking it to cancer in non-human studies and behavioral issues in some children. The FDA says Red dye No. 3 must be removed from all foods by early 2027. It’s also an ingredient in some medications, and drug manufacturers now have until early 2028 to remove it from their products.
The Red Dye Ban: Types, Research & Tips for Avoiding
The history of Red Dye No. 3
Red Dye No. 3 has been around for over 100 years. It was used in lots of things before people started to have concerns.
Red Dye No. 3 is not the same as Red Dye No. 40, a similar food dye that has not yet been banned in the United States. Food manufacturers may start using Red Dye No. 40 instead of Red Dye No. 3, however, Red Dye No. 40 has been linked to many of the same health concerns.
Red Dye No. 3 is made in a lab. It starts as a reddish-brown powder, and when you mix it with water, it turns bright red.
Before there were rules about it, Red Dye No. 3 was used in many different things. It made
candies, cakes,
frosting,
cereals, ice cream, drinks and other products bright red or pink. It was used in lipsticks, blush, nail polish and hair dye to make red and pink colors. It also made pills and liquid medications look more appealing, especially for kids. Some of these products still contain Red Dye No. 3.
A full list of products containing Red Dye No. 3 is available on
EWG’s website.
Initial Red Dye No. 3 bans
Red Dye No. 3 was originally introduced without any safety worries, but growing research began to highlight potential concerns.
In 1990, the FDA banned Red Dye No. 3 in makeup and topical medications due to
studies showing that it might cause tumors in rats. However, even though it was banned in makeup and topical medications, the FDA said it was still okay to use in food and medications that you swallow because the amounts people usually ingest weren’t proven harmful. This sparked quite a bit of controversy and many thought it should be banned completely, like it is in Europe.
Over the years, the conversations about whether Red Dye No. 3 is safe have continued. The fact that it’s allowed in some things but not others proves that it’s a complex issue and scientists don’t all agree on what’s best.
What does the research say about Red Dye No. 3?
The biggest concerns about Red Dye No. 3 came from studies done with animals, mostly rats, in the 1980s. These studies found that male rats that ate a lot of Red Dye No. 3 were more likely to get thyroid tumors. The more Red Dye No. 3 the rats consumed, the more likely they were to get these tumors.
Scientists think that when the rats ate a lot of the dye, their bodies might have stopped making enough of one kind of thyroid hormone. This could cause their bodies to make more of another hormone that tells the thyroid to grow, and too much growth can lead to tumors.
Not everyone agrees with the studies on Red Dye No. 3. Some scientists have brought up the fact that rat bodies are much different than human bodies. Their thyroids work differently, and they might be more likely to get tumors from things that wouldn’t hurt people. The amounts of Red Dye No. 3 that caused problems in rats were also much higher than what people usually consume.
Besides the potential for thyroid tumors, scientists have also looked at other possible problems with Red Dye No. 3, including:
- Behavioral issues in kids: Red Dye No. 3 and other food colorings are being researched for a possible link to hyperactivity and behavioral problems in some children, but more research is needed.
- Other kinds of cancer: Although the biggest concern is thyroid cancer in rats, some studies have looked at Red Dye No. 3 and other types of cancers with inconclusive results.
- Allergies: Although uncommon, some people can be allergic or sensitive to Red Dye No. 3. This could cause rashes, itching or trouble breathing.
Why is Red Dye No. 3 still in some products?
Even though there are concerns about Red Dye #3 and it is already banned in some countries and in some products in the US, it is still being used today in some foods and oral medications.
When companies change what goes into their products, they have to spend money to figure out the new recipe and ensure it still tastes and looks good. This can take a lot of time and resources.
It can also be difficult for these companies to find other cost-effective colors that look just as bright and last as long as Red Dye #3. Natural colors, such as those from beetroot or paprika extract, might not be as bright and might even change the taste of the food.
Companies will be forced to make these changes in the coming years with the FDA’s newly stated ban of Red Dye No. 3.
6 Tips for avoiding Red Dye #3
Over the next several years, Red Dye No. 3 will be banned from all products. Until then, if you are concerned about Red Dye No. 3 being in your food or medications, here are some things you can do:
1. Eat more whole, unprocessed foods: Fruits,
vegetables,
nuts,
seeds,
beans and
grains don’t contain these dyes.
2. Read the ingredients: Always check the list of ingredients on packaged foods,
makeup and medicine. Avoid anything containing "FD&C Red No. 3" or "Erythrosine/E127".
3. Choose products made with natural colors: If you see things like beetroot extract or
turmeric extract on the label, they use a natural color.
4. Be mindful of products made for kids: Things like colorful candies, breakfast cereals and snacks for kids often have artificial colors added.
5. Look for uncolored or dye-free options: Some products come in versions without added color or dyes.
6. Stay informed: Make sure to stay up to date on the latest research regarding food dyes.
In summary
In the end, it’s about finding a balance. We want the products that we consume to look appealing, but we also need to make sure they are safe.
As more research is done, the rules about things like Red Dye No. 3 and other food additives will continue to evolve. It’s up to all of us as consumers, scientists and companies to be a part of making sure our products are both safe and enjoyable.
.jpg)
