35 years after it was determined carcinogenic, the government has decided it
could "soon act" on banning it.
US Food and Drug Administration moves to ban red food dye
"The FDA is taking steps to ban red 3, which is derived from oil, amid concerns
about its health effects
Oliver Milman
Sat 7 Dec 2024
A red food dye that is ubiquitous in American drinks, snacks, candies and
cereals may finally be banned by the federal government after years of concern
that it has adverse health impacts, particularly upon children.
The federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has said that it could soon act
to crack down upon the additive known as red 3, derived from petroleum and
used to provide a cherry-red coloring to an array of foods.
“With red 3, we have a petition in front of us to revoke the authorization board,
and we’re hopeful that in the next few weeks we’ll be acting on that petition,”
Jim Jones, the FDA’s deputy commissioner for human foods, told a US Senate
health committee on Thursday.
Red 3 is used in nearly 3,000 food products, according to a database by one
environmental health group, including Pez, Peeps, Betty Crocker’s products and
Dubble Bubble chewing gum. Like other food dyes, it adds nothing of nutritional
value and is used instead to add color to foods for marketing purposes.
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While the FDA said that this food dye, like other such approved additives, is
safe to consume if done so correctly, red 3 has been found to be carcinogenic
in animals and has been banned for use in cosmetics since 1990. Public health
groups have also linked it to behavioral problems in children.
Pressure is now building upon the FDA to ban the food dye, along with others
that are routinely provided warning labels or are banned in the European Union
– yet allowed freely in the US.
Last year, California banned four food dyes, including red 3. Robert F Kennedy
Jr, Donald Trump’s pick to be the next health secretary during his second
presidency, has linked such food dyes to cancer and has been critical of the
FDA for allowing certain substances in foods.
“There is simply no reason for this chemical to be in our food except to entice
and mislead consumers by changing the color of their food so it looks more
appealing,” Frank Pallone, a Democrat who is a ranking member on the US
House energy committee, wrote to the FDA about red 3 recently.
“With the holiday season in full swing where sweet treats are abundant, it is
frightening that this chemical remains hidden in these foods that we and our
children are eating.”"
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