FDA considers banning Red 3 food dye amid health concerns

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is reviewing the possibility of banning Red 3, a synthetic food dye found in over 3,000 products, including popular snacks like Pez, Peeps, and Betty Crocker items. Chemically known as erythrosine, Red 3 is derived from petroleum and provides a bright cherry-red color to foods, but offers no nutritional benefits. The dye has come under scrutiny due to mounting public health concerns, with potential links to cancer and behavioral issues in children.

During a Senate Health Committee hearing on Thursday, Jim Jones, FDA’s deputy commissioner for human foods, revealed that the agency is currently considering a petition to revoke Red 3’s authorization. “We’re hopeful that in the next few weeks, we’ll be acting on that petition,” Jones said. The move follows California’s decision to ban Red 3, along with three other food dyes, and reflects growing pressure to align U.S. regulations with stricter European standards.

Red 3 has been banned in cosmetics since 1990 due to carcinogenic effects in animal tests, but it remains authorized in food. Critics argue that the dye serves no purpose other than to artificially enhance food’s appearance, misleading consumers. Recent studies have also linked synthetic food dyes, including Red 3, to hyperactivity and neurobehavioral problems in children, raising alarms about their impact on children’s health.

The FDA’s decision on Red 3 could set a precedent for other synthetic additives, prompting a broader reevaluation of food safety standards in the U.S.