Red No. 3, approved for food use in 1907, is derived from petroleum and has gained popularity as a coloring agent in a variety of products, from candies to sodas, due to its vibrant red color. In 2022, the Environmental Working Group found that 2,876 brand-name food items contained Red No. 3. According to data referenced by Bloomberg, the food app GoCoCo estimated that approximately 25% of baking decorations and dessert toppings featured this dye. Additionally, Red No. 3 was detected in 16% of chewing gum and mints, 13% of candies, and 11% of cookies and biscuits. The food and drug industries utilized over 200,000 pounds of Red No. 3 in 2021, as reported by the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CPSI).
While the FDA has stated that the mechanism by which Red No. 3 induces cancer in male rats does not translate to humans, Jim Jones, the FDA’s deputy commissioner for human foods, noted that under the Delaney Clause, the agency cannot approve any food or color additive found to cause cancer in humans or animals. Red No. 3 has been banned in several countries, including in Europe, where its use is restricted to specific types of cherries. The FDA’s recent decision represents a significant victory for consumer advocacy groups that have long sought to revoke the dye’s approval. “Today’s action by the FDA marks a monumental victory for consumer health and safety,” stated Ken Cook, president and co-founder of EWG. He emphasized that Red No. 3 remained in foods for years despite mounting evidence linking it to health issues, especially in children. CPSI president Peter G. Lurie echoed this sentiment, pointing out the inconsistency of Red No. 3 being illegal in cosmetics while still permissible in food for children.
In response to consumer preferences for clean-label ingredients and legislative actions from states, many food companies have begun to phase out the dye. California prohibited Red No. 3 in food products in 2023, with ten other states proposing similar bans, according to the CPSI. The National Confectioners Association, which represents the chocolate, candy, gum, and mints industries, asserted that food safety is their top concern. The association has urged the FDA to make a definitive ruling on Red No. 3, arguing that state-level bans are often driven by emotional responses rather than scientific evidence. “We will continue to adhere to and comply with FDA’s guidance and safety standards,” the organization stated, affirming that the “FDA is the rightful national regulatory decision maker and leader in food safety.”
In light of these developments, consumers are increasingly seeking alternatives, such as Solgar Calcium Citrate 1000 mg, as they become more aware of the ingredients in their food. This shift towards clean-label products reflects a broader trend of prioritizing health and safety in dietary choices.