The artificial coloring Red No. 3also known as erythrosine either FD&C Network No. 3has been banned by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) due to its relationship with the development of cancer in rats. According to CBS NewsAlthough studies have not confirmed carcinogenic effects in humans, US law requires the elimination of any substance that has been shown to be carcinogenic in animals.
The FDA has set a deadline for the food industry to remove this dye from its products by January 15, 2027while drug manufacturers will have up to January 2028 to comply with regulations. The measure has provoked an immediate response from various companies, many of which have already announced adjustments to their formulas to adapt to the regulation.
The ban on Red No. 3 is based on a regulation known as the Delaney Clausea provision of the Food, Drugs and Cosmetics Act of 1958 which prohibits additives that cause cancer in laboratory animals. Although this dye had already been banned in cosmetics and injectable medications since 1990its use in food and other consumer products continued to be permitted due to the lack of conclusive evidence in humans. However, pressure from consumer advocacy groups and recent scientific studies led to the FDA to reconsider its position and order its removal from the market.
Red No. 3 dye has been widely used in products such as candies, drinks, baked goods and vegetarian meats. According to CBS Newsseveral companies have already begun to reformulate their products to comply with the new regulations.
Keurig Dr Pepper reported that his drink Strawberry Yoo-hoo will have a new formula without this ingredient before the end of the year. Kellanovaresponsible for products such as Pop-Tarts and MorningStarassured that it is working to guarantee full compliance with the regulations before 2027. Nestlefor its part, highlighted that the majority of its products no longer contain synthetic dyes and that they have been eliminating FD&C Red No. 3 from products such as Strawberry Nesquik and the cookie dough Toll House Funfetti.
Other brands have also initiated changes. Conagra Brandswhich uses the dye in products like birthday cake Marie Callender and confetti cake mix Duncan Hinesstated that the impact of the ban will be minimal, since it is already removing the additive from the few products that still contain it. McCormickknown for its condiments and baking products, said it had already begun phasing out Red 3 before the FDA’s decision.
However, some companies have not confirmed their adaptation plans. Among the brands that still include the dye in some of their products are Bazooka Candy, Bimbo Bakeries, Del Monte, Ferrara, Ferrero, General Mills, Krispy Kreme, Mondelez, Smucker and Tootsie.
While some companies are working on eliminating the additive, others have already completed the transition. According to CBS News, Hershey’s stopped using this dye in 2021so products like Kit Kat, Reese’s and Kisses They are now free of this substance.
Post Consumer Brandsmanufacturer of cereals such as Pebbles and Honey Bunches of Oatsconfirmed that none of its products contain the additive. PepsiCowhich produces Ruffles, Doritos, Gatorade and Mountain Dewalso assured that its current portfolio does not use Red 3.
Mars Wrigleyknown for M&M’s, Snickers and Skittlesnoted that the coloring is no longer present in its products, although in the past it was used in some flavors of its chewing gum. Orbit. J&J Snack Foods reported that said ingredient was removed from all its products more than six months ago, including the popular ICEE.
The use of Red No. 3 is not limited to food. According to CBS Newsthis dye is also present in some medicines and health products, such as gummy vitamins and cough syrups. Despite the ban, several pharmaceutical companies have not detailed how they plan to adjust their formulations to comply with the regulations.
Consumers can check if a product contains Red No. 3 by checking the ingredients list on the packaging. The dye can appear under different names, such as erythrosine either FD&C Network No. 3. The FDA requires that color additives be specifically identified on labels, allowing consumers to make informed decisions about their consumption.
The FDA’s decision marks a milestone in the regulation of food additives in the United States. Although Red 3 has been the subject of controversy for decades, its ban reinforces a stricter approach to consumer safety. According to CBS Newsthis measure not only forces companies to reformulate their products, but also underlines the importance of transparency in labeling of food and medicine.
With defined deadlines for the elimination of the additive, the industry faces the challenge of modifying its recipes without compromising the taste, appearance or stability of your products. At the same time, consumers have a greater opportunity to learn about the ingredients that are part of their daily diet and health.
