Since 2022, the Food and Drug Administration has been reviewing a petition to ban food dye, Red No. 3. Now, a decision could come soon.
The petroleum-based dye has been used for more than 50 years in thousands of products including candy, snack foods, and soda. Questions about the dye’s potential health effects go back decades.
The FDA banned the use of the Red No. 3 in cosmetics and medicated ointments and lotions back in 1990. Research showed the dye could cause cancer in animals in high doses. But the agency concluded it was safe in the amounts used in food.
The agency says it has evaluated the safety of Red No. 3 “multiple times” since its original approval for use in food in 1969.
Lawmakers in 11 states have introduced legislation to ban Red No. 3 in foods. North Carolina currently has no legislation seeking the ban of Red No. 3. [source]
We have a family member who has repeated abdominal symptoms whenever they consume products with red dye. However, there is a long list of foods, seasonings, or additives that can cause a small number of individuals symptoms. This should be a science based decision that weighs the value of the substance that is ingested. If there are no healthy benefits and only the risk of harm, then the substance should likely be eliminated from our diet.
Yes Red No. 3 needs to be banned in N C I live in Boone NC home of Samaritans purse