US bans red food dye over possible cancer risk: health authorities

The Biden administration on Wednesday announced a ban on Red Dye No. 3, a food and drug coloring long linked to cancer in animals.

The dye, also known as Red 3, is currently used in nearly 3,000 U.S. food products, according to the nonprofit Environmental Working Group.

The ban will revoke its authorized use under federal regulations, the Department of Health and Human Services said in a document published in the Federal Register.

The decision stems from a 2022 petition by advocacy groups, including the Center for Science in the Public Interest, citing the "Delaney Clause," which prohibits any color additive proven to cause cancer in humans or animals.

Decades of controversy

In 1990, the Food and Drug Administration banned Red 3 in cosmetics because of its link to thyroid cancer in male rats but allowed its use in food products, citing industry resistance.

The dye remains widely used in maraschino cherries, candies, snacks, and fruit products. It is also found in thousands of medications listed in the government database DailyMed.

Manufacturers have until Jan. 15, 2027, to reformulate food products and until Jan. 18, 2028, for ingested drugs, the FDA said.

Although the agency acknowledged cancer risks in animal studies, it said the evidence does not support a similar link in humans, citing hormonal differences and significantly lower exposure levels.

Neurobehavioral concerns

Beyond its carcinogenicity, research has pointed to potential neurobehavioral effects of synthetic dyes, particularly in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. A 2021 California government report found synthetic dyes could alter brain activity, memory, and learning.

The U.S. lags behind other nations in regulating Red 3. The European Union banned its use in 1994, and similar prohibitions exist in Japan, China, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand.

Advocacy groups welcomed the FDA’s decision but called for additional measures. The incoming Trump administration is urged to address other food additives, including heavy metals like lead and arsenic.

“These dyes add no nutritional value or preservation benefits—they're purely cosmetic,” said Thomas Galligan, a scientist with the Center for Science in the Public Interest. “It's time for broader regulatory action on harmful food chemicals.”

The FDA’s decision marks progress in consumer safety but highlights decades of delay in addressing risks associated with food additives.