FDA Bans First FD&C Dye! Which Will be Next?

The FDA has moved to finally ban Red Dye No. 3 from use in food and drugs in America.  Red Dye No. 3 was first determined to be a cancer causing color additive almost 30 years ago.  Studies conducted using labs rats found that they became inflicted with the disease after consuming large amounts of Red dye No. 3.  Thirty years ago, the FDA officially banned Red Dye No. 3 from use in cosmetics but left the door open for it to be used as a color additive in food and prescription drugs.  By January 2027, the FDA has ordered that Red Dye No 3 must be removed from all food in the USA and by 2028--from all drugs.

Food Manufacturers Shiver in their Boots

Red Dye No. 3 has mostly been used in baked goods, sweets and candies.  It is used by prominent candy manufacturers such as Mars Inc (Skittles) and Just Born Quality Confections (Peeps).  Food Manufacturing giants such as Con Agra, McCormick, Heinz, General Mills and Pepsi Co will all have to find alternatives for Red dye No. 3 in their food products.  Morningstar Farms is a vegan food company that makes a plant based bacon that possesses Red Dye No 3.   Several years ago after looking for plant based bacon strips, it was noticed that red dye no. 3 was in the ingredient list.  It's upsetting to know that a vegan food company currently manufactures a product with this carcinogenic color additive.  

Morningstar Farms and all other food manufacturers who may be scrambling to find alternatives to Red dye No. 3 should know that beet makes a really great healthy, alternative dye; it may be slightly more expensive to produce but they've just got to pay it. 

Who Banned it First?

California set the tone for other states and even for this major decision when they moved to ban Red dye No. 3 and Red 40 on September 28, 2024.  Under the governorship of Gavin Newsome, the state of California was the first to issue a ban of the color additives, Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Green 3, Blue 1 and Blue 2 in food.  The California Food Safety Act set the precedent for this current major decision by the FDA.

California is a no nonsense state when it comes to enacting policies and laws regarding matters of health and the environment.  It's pretty tragic that the state is currently being ravished by wildfires when it is very active in implementing laws and bans of foods, chemicals and environmental hazards that negatively affect human beings. 

It's a Celebration!

It's a celebratory day for food health and environmental activists who have signed petitions, campaigned, protested, been vocal about and brought awareness to the dangers of FD&C Dyes in food and drugs.  The road has never been easy but this is a milestone that must be commended.  Consumer Reports has played a key role in urging the FDA to make a serious decision regarding FD&C dye No. 3.  There's still work to do as other FD&C Dyes are still allowed to be used by food manufacturers in the United States.   

What Dye Will be Banned by the FDA Next?

The question is what dye should the FDA ban next.  The FDA needs to make one large ban of all of these color additives in a sweeping vote by its members.  The organization is able to implement bans of foods and food additives that cause cancer via the Delaney clause.  The principles that governs which foods can be banned needs to be widened as cancer is not the only detrimental result that can occur from consumption of toxic ingredients.  FD&C dyes are neuro-disruptive.  Research has proven that these dyes can result in a host of behavioral problems and developmental delays in children.

One of the most popular snacks in the United States that children and adults love to eat are Hot Cheetos, manufactured by the Pepsi Co company for Frito Lay.  Hot Cheetos does not contain Red Dye No. 3 but it does contain Red Dye 40.  Many food manufacturers will resort to using Red Dye 40 as a result of this ban.   This is the next dye that must be targeted and officially outlawed by the FDA.  Red Dye 40 has been found to accelerate immune system tumor growth in mice.  Red Dye 40 also contains benzene, a known carcinogen.  As the new Department of Health lead goes through the process for confirmation, the FDA will have a number of potential bans to make.  

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