That maraschino cherry in your Manhattan could also be your final — the FDA has lastly banned using Crimson 3, a identified carcinogen, in meals, drinks, and ingested medication¹. 

This announcement comes greater than 30 years after scientists first found the hyperlinks between this widespread meals dye and most cancers in animals. The invention led to it being banned throughout the board within the European Union, however, confusingly, solely in topical medicines within the U.S.

“In the end, the FDA is ending the regulatory paradox of Crimson 3 being unlawful to be used in lipstick, however completely authorized to feed to kids within the type of sweet,” stated CSPI President Dr. Peter G. Lurie².

What Is Crimson 3?

Added colours have lengthy been used to render meals extra interesting, from the annatto that makes winter butter look richer to the beet juice that provides Pennsylvania Dutch pickled eggs a reasonably purple hue. However artificial meals dyes are one other story. Invented within the 19^th century, these synthetic colorings quickly grew to become well-liked — after which rapidly raised suspicion round their security³.

Crimson 3 dye, additionally identified by its chemical identify erythrosine, is likely one of the oldest authorized meals colorings within the U.S. Derived from petroleum, this artificial dye is used to offer a whole bunch of merchandise a vivid, cherry-red coloration. You’ll discover Crimson 3 in sprinkles, icings, strawberry milk, sweet, processed meats, and seasoning mixes, to not point out non-topical medicines like cough syrups and acetaminophen.

The FDA Ban on Crimson Dye No. 3

Crimson 3 dye was first linked to thyroid most cancers in rats in a 1988 examine within the Japanese Journal of Most cancers Analysis⁴. These findings have been later confirmed by a 2012 analysis evaluation within the Worldwide Journal of Occupational Environmental Well being⁵. 

On account of this animal analysis, Crimson 3 has been (principally) banned within the European Union since 1994⁶. However whereas the FDA enacted a partial ban on the dye in 1990, eradicating it from topical medication and cosmetics, it remained authorized in meals till January 16, 2025⁷. 

This purple dye ban is a very long time coming, in line with Dr. Joseph Mercola, Board Licensed Household Medication Osteopathic Doctor (DO) and writer of Your Information to Mobile Health. “Animal research many years in the past confirmed that prime doses might set off thyroid tumors, so there’s at all times been a priority,” he stated. “Whereas on a regular basis publicity may be decrease than lab doses, the cumulative impact nonetheless issues. And since this dye is artificial—not one thing present in nature—we’ve had safer pure coloration choices all alongside. It makes little sense that we banned it in cosmetics 35 years in the past however saved it in meals.”

So why did it take us over 30 years longer than our European mates to ban this carcinogenic (and fully aesthetic!) additive?

A Harmful Loophole

The preliminary partial ban on Crimson 3 hinged on the Delaney Clause of the FDA’s Federal Meals, Drug, and Beauty Act. Enacted in 1960, the clause prohibited any coloration components linked to most cancers in animals or people. However whereas the FDA stories reevaluating the ingredient’s security a number of instances because it was authorized within the Sixties, Crimson 3 remained authorized to be used in meals and non-topical medication. This, the FDA acknowledged, got here all the way down to an absence of “assets required to take away this authorization.”⁸ However it additionally was as a result of a loophole. 

The best way that Crimson 3 induced most cancers within the lab rats within the 1988 examine was linked to a rat-specific hormonal mechanism that can’t happen in people. In consequence, the FDA maintained that people have been within the clear. However for a lot of specialists, this interpretation runs counter to the very spirit of the clause.

“The FDA mandate beneath the Delaney Clause says that if it exhibits most cancers in animals or people, they’re supposed to maintain it from the meals provide,” Dr. Jennifer Pomeranz, affiliate professor of public well being coverage and administration at New York College’s College of World Public Well being, informed CNN. “There may be not a rational motive inside FDA’s mission that they didn’t ban purple dye #3 from meals within the Nineties.” There may be, nonetheless, an irrational motive: business stress. 

How the Trade Silenced Crimson Dye Most cancers Prevention

“Trade works with Congress to dam funding for the wanted analysis,” Dr. Jerold Mande, adjunct professor of vitamin on the Harvard College T.H. Chan College of Public Well being, informed CNN⁹. The Washington Submit reported again in 1989 that the maraschino cherry business, which, in line with the Heart for Science within the Public Curiosity, is the largest shopper of purple No. 3.⁷, was significantly vocal in opposing a ban, arguing that “shoppers won’t ever eat them except they’ve this vivid purple component.”¹⁰ It’s not for nothing that the EU nonetheless has an exception for maraschino cherries in its ban.

One further issue Mande cited is the dearth of U.S. authorities funding of the precise kind of research that may probably show extra conclusively the “actual well being dangers” posed by the dye. In different phrases, if the federal government had funded the related analysis, we’d have already had the scientific proof to show Crimson 3 is carcinogenic to people.

New Analysis and New Mobilization

If the FDA was lastly compelled to take motion on Crimson 3, it was partially due to a 2022 petition submitted by over 20 shopper advocacy teams and people, together with the Heart for Science within the Public Curiosity and the Environmental Working Group¹¹.  The petition demanded the FDA evaluation whether or not the Delaney Clause utilized. Roughly three years later, the FDA complied by revoking using the dye and successfully banning it within the U.S.

Different Worries Linked to Crimson 3

The ban on Crimson 3 comes not a second too quickly. In any case, within the 30 years because the carcinogenic results of Crimson 3 got here to gentle, different research have spotlighted further well being dangers. Most notably, we’ve seen regarding results of the chemical on kids — typically the very targets of the brightly-colored sweets that use the dye most.

In 2021, a California Workplace of Environmental Well being Hazard Evaluation analysis evaluation appraised the physique of information linking artificial dyes, together with Crimson 3, to behavioral points like ADHD in kids¹². In consequence, the state of California handed a ban on the additive in October 2023, efficient in 2027¹³. At the least 10 different states adopted swimsuit and launched related laws. 

The FDA’s resolution in the end “ends the regulatory paradox of Crimson 3,” Dr. Thomas Galligan, principal scientist for meals components and dietary supplements on the Heart for Science within the Public Curiosity in Washington, DC informed CNN⁹. However, he provides, the company “has an extended technique to go to reform the damaged system that allowed Crimson 3 to stay in meals many years after it was proven to trigger most cancers when eaten by animals.”

What Occurs Subsequent?

Simply because Crimson 3 has been banned doesn’t imply it’s going to vanish from grocery shops instantly. Meals producers have till January 15, 2027 to eradicate the additive from their recipes; drug producers have one other 12 months and three days to do the identical. The identical guidelines and laws will apply for imported meals produced exterior of the U.S. 

Producers and importers will possible want on a regular basis they will get — in line with a database compiled by the Environmental Working Group, Crimson 3 is current in additional than 2,000 meals¹⁴. These purple dye 3 meals embody many seasonal candies like dialog hearts and sweet corn, in addition to PEZ, some Ringpops, Betty Crocker Crimson Adorning Icing, TruMoo Strawberry Complete Milk, Kroger Further Cherry canned fruit cocktail, and Guarantee Unique Strawberry Vitamin Shake.

How you can Spot Crimson 3 In Your Meals Merchandise

Fortunately, it’s comparatively simple to keep away from Crimson 3, seeing because the FDA requires producers to checklist its presence on meals labels. Look not only for Crimson 3, but in addition Crimson Dye 3, Crimson Dye No. 3, or FD&C Crimson #3, or erythrosine. On the subject of non-topical medicines like cough syrup or red-colored acetaminophen, you’ll want to test the “inactive substances” part of the packaging.

It’s simple to really feel that the U.S. has fallen woefully behind on security requirements. However it could be heartening to know that many corporations had already begun phasing out this chemical independently previous to the FDA ban. 

Ferrara, which produces Brach’s candies, has been lowering its use of the chemical since early 2023 — solely 10 % of the corporate’s merchandise nonetheless use Crimson Dye 3 at present⁹. Simply Born, the corporate behind PEEPS, stopped utilizing Crimson 3 after final Easter¹⁵. However different corporations are all discuss: Basic Mills vowed to take away all synthetic colours from its Trix and Fortunate Charms cereals by the top of 2016, and Kellogg’s promised to eradicate them solely by 2019. Each corporations nonetheless use artificial dyes.

The place’s the Subsequent Crimson Dye Coming From?

As is commonly the case, relatively than eradicating artificial dyes solely, this ban is prompting many meals corporations to easily swap to a special Crimson. Whereas shifting away from Crimson Dye 3 is a win, it gained’t essentially characterize progress if we merely shift to a different probably dangerous artificial dye. 

Crimson No. 40 is presently the most-used meals dye within the U.S. and has been touted as a more healthy choice. So is purple dye 40 unhealthy for you? Nicely, research present it is probably not the saving grace we hoped for.

Can Crimson 40 Trigger Most cancers?

In 2023, analysis revealed in Toxicology Reviews discovered that Crimson 40 induced DNA harm and colonic irritation in mice¹⁶, and benzene, an ingredient in Crimson 40, has been recognized by the Worldwide Company for Analysis on Most cancers as “carcinogenic to people¹⁷.”

Along with its potential most cancers dangers, analysis revealed in 2012 linked the dye to related behavioral issues in kids as Crimson 3⁵, main the State of California to ban the dye from meals and drinks offered in public faculties this previous September¹⁸. It’s additionally for that reason that, whereas it has but to ban the dye altogether, the EU requires meals containing purple No. 40 to hold a well being warning referencing its “opposed impact on exercise and a focus in kids.”

What Different Dyes Ought to We Be Cautious Of?

Crimson dyes aren’t the one problematic artificial components available on the market. Yellow 5 (tartrazine) has been linked to temper issues in kids and is the second-most broadly used meals dye within the U.S., in line with the Heart for Science within the Public Curiosity¹⁹. It’s generally present in merchandise with a tell-tale neon yellow shade, like Gatorade and Mountain Dew. Yellow 6 is the third most generally used dye — it’s present in Skittles and could also be carcinogenic⁵. Each yellow dyes are already banned within the EU. And different dyes like Blue 1, Blue 2, and Inexperienced 3 have been examined for his or her potential well being dangers²⁰.

Fortunately, there are corporations paving a brand new manner ahead within the house, profiting from pure meals colorings from beetroot, spirulina, carmine, paprika, and turmeric. Selecting pure dyes is the most secure manner to make sure our meals system is more healthy — whereas nonetheless making house for a vibrant vary of colours. “Relatively than ready ages for ultimate proof, selecting fewer synthetic components is the safer wager,” suggests Mercola.

Sources:

1. https://www.fda.gov/meals/hfp-constituent-updates/fda-revoke-authorization-use-red-no-3-food-and-ingested-drugs?utm_medium=e mail&utm_source=govdelivery
2. https://www.cspinet.org/press-release/fda-moves-eliminate-carcinogenic-red-3-foods
3. https://www.fda.gov/business/color-additives/color-additives-history
4. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2836348/
5. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23026007/
6. https://www.cspinet.org/cspi-news/red-3-why-hasnt-fda-banned-carcinogenic-food-dye
7. https://www.cspinet.org/cspi-news/red-3-fda-finally-bans-cancer-causing-food-dye
8. https://www.fda.gov/business/color-additives/fdc-red-no-3
9. https://www.cnn.com/2025/01/15/well being/red-dye-no-3-ban-fda-wellness/index.html
10. https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1989/07/18/dyeing-to-keep-the-cherry-red/59c82b6b-c37c-466c-adb6-f4ce3636d0e7/
11. https://www.hfpappexternal.fda.gov/scripts/fdcc/index.cfm?set=FAP-CAP&id=CAP_3C0323
12. https://oehha.ca.gov/risk-assessment/report/health-effects-assessment-potential-neurobehavioral-effects-synthetic-food-dyes-children
13. https://www.cnn.com/2023/10/09/well being/california-governor-bans-red-dye-no-3-wellness/index.html
14. https://www.ewg.org/news-insights/news-release/2025/01/biden-fda-moves-ban-toxic-red-dye-no-3-food
15. https://advocacy.consumerreports.org/press_release/consumer-reports-applauds-peeps-candy-maker-for-decision-to-stop-using-red-dye-3-in-advance-of-californias-ban-of-the-dye/
16. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10502305/
17. https://www.most cancers.org/most cancers/risk-prevention/chemical compounds/benzene.html
18. https://www.cnn.com/2024/08/30/well being/california-food-dye-ban-schools-wellness/index.html
19. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9052604/
20. https://www.cspinet.org/cspi-news/synthetic-food-dyes-rainbow-risks

Tags: carcinogen FDA ban purple 3 dye purple 40 purple dye artificial dyes