"In some good news this week, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) officially banned the use of synthetic color additive Red Dye No.3 in food and ingested medicine. The additive had been banned in cosmetics in 1990, but it took 35 years for the petroleum-derived ingredient to be banned from foods and medicine. Companies will have some time to reformulate their products however. Meaning we won’t see Red Dye No. 3 off ingredient lists immediately, but it’s a good, overdue first step. Here’s what to know about the FDA’s order.
What is Red Dye No.3?
According to the FDA’s release, Red Dye No.3 (also known as Erythrosine) “is a synthetic food dye that gives certain foods and drinks a bright, cherry-red color.” It’s derived from petroleum.
Why is It Being Banned?
Under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, all color additives must be approved by the FDA before they may be used in foods, drugs, cosmetics, or certain medical devices, or on the human body. According to the release, the FDA determined the data presented in a 2022 color additive petition show that this ingredient causes cancer in male laboratory rats exposed to high levels of FD&C Red No.3. They said the reason is because of a hormonal mechanism that occurs in male rats. According to the FDA, studies in other animals or in humans did not show the same effect and there is no evidence showing Red Dye No.3 causes cancer in humans.
Katie Thomson, a registered dietitian, mom, and Co-founder & CEO of Square Baby shared with The Everymom that she is “hopeful this ban sets a precedent for stricter oversight as it pertains to other questionable additives in our food supply. Parents are increasingly demanding transparency and cleaner ingredients, and this ban shows that these voices are being heard.”
What Foods Have Red Dye No.3?
The color additive is found in “certain candy, cakes and cupcakes, cookies, frozen desserts, and frostings and icings, and ingested drugs,” according to the FDA. But it can also be found in some surprising foods like plant-based meat-alternatives. After a quick check of my own kitchen, I only found the Red No.3 additive in my food coloring, which means it was also in the frosting I made for my Christmas cookies. However, Red 40 seemed to be everywhere else. Which led me to my next question.
What’s the Difference Between Red Dye No.3 and Red Dye 40?
Right now, Red Dye No.3 is the only color additive being banned nationally by the FDA, but many parents hope Red Dye 40 is close behind. Check your pantry, fridge, or medicine cabinet, and you’ll likely see Red Dye No. 40 on the ingredient list. I found it in the cereal in my pantry, the children’s cough syrup and cough drops in my medicine cabinet, and the after-school munchies and candy in my snack drawer, to name a few. Both food additives are derived from petroleum, but here’s a quick recap of the differences:
Red Dye No. 3
- Cherry red color
- AKA Erythrosine, Red Dye 3, Red No. 3
- Found mostly in candy, popsicles, and cake-decorating gels.
- Banned in the U.S. by the FDA on January 15, 2025 citing cancer concerns.
Red Dye No. 40
- Dark red color
- AKA Allura Red, Red 40
- More common and found in sports drinks, candy, condiments, cereals, medicines, and more.
- Banned in California school lunches starting in 2028 citing behavioral health effects.
When Will Foods With Red Dye No. 3 Be Off Shelves?
The FDA has given companies some time to reformulate their products without Red Dye No.3. For food and beverage companies, they’ll have until January 15, 2027. While companies making ingested meds have until January 18, 2028.
What Can Parents Do?
Checking food, drink, and medicine labels for particular additives is a good first step. Thomson shared, “When shopping for packaged foods, look for brands that explicitly state they use natural coloring from fruit and vegetable sources—there are more options available now than ever before.”
“Natural food swaps don’t have to be complicated or time-consuming!” Thomson added. “Start by choosing plain yogurt and adding natural color with pureed fruits and berries, or make vibrant smoothies using produce like mango, berries, carrots, beets, zucchini, and greens…Nature provides all the beautiful colors we need—think bright berries, deep green spinach, orange carrots, red beets, and purple cabbage. These foods don’t just look appealing; they provide real nutritional benefits that support your child’s growth and development.”
You can also monitor your kids to see if you notice behavior changes with certain foods. And talk to your child’s pediatrician about any concerns.
Kathy Sisson, Senior Editor
As a mom of two, Kathy is passionately committed to sharing the honest, helpful—and often humorous—stories of motherhood, as she navigates her own everyday adventures of work, marriage, and parenting. She honed her creative and strategic skills at advertising agencies in Detroit and Chicago, before pivoting from marketing to editorial. Now instead of telling brand stories, she’s sharing her own, with articles published across popular parenting sites—including hundreds of stories on The Everymom.