The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced its intention to ban the use of the synthetic food coloring FD&C Red No. 3, also known as erythrosine, in foods, candies, and drinks by the year 2027. This decision is a response to a petition from 2022 that highlighted studies demonstrating a link between the dye and cancer in rats. Although the FDA clarifies that there is no scientific proof of Red No. 3 causing cancer in humans, they have decided to remove this controversial additive as a precautionary measure.
In addition to the ban on food and drink products by 2027, the regulation will extend to ingested drug products by 2028. This phased approach is designed to provide manufacturers with sufficient time to modify their formulas. Moreover, imported foods will be required to comply with these new regulations as well.
It’s worth noting that Red No. 3 has been prohibited in cosmetic and topical applications since 1990 and is also banned in California. When checking food labels, this dye may be listed as Red No. 3 or simply Red 3.
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