Your grocery selections may start to look different in the coming years. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has just announced a major ban on a common ingredient found in many everyday foods.
Here’s what we know: On January 15, 2025, the FDA alerted the public that it plans to ban the use of the color additive Red No. 3 in food and ingested drugs. This new policy will affect a wide range of products like candies, cookies, juices, tomato sauces, and more — as well as major brands like Goya, Nestle, Betty Crocker, and Hershey’s.
So what makes Red No. 3 so controversial? This synthetic food dye is commonly used to give food and drinks their bright cherry-red color. However, it has raised concerns because studies have shown it can cause cancer in lab rats. The FDA addressed these concerns in a recent press release, stating that while lab rats developed cancer after consuming products with the dye, studies in other animals and humans have not shown similar effects. The FDA concluded that there is not enough scientific evidence supporting the claim that Red No. 3 in food or drugs poses a risk to human health.
The National Confectioners Association, a trade organization for candy, chocolate, and gum manufacturers, responded to the new policy. The representative shared with The Kitchn, “Food safety is the number-one priority for U.S. confectionery companies, and we will continue to follow and comply with FDA’s guidance and safety standards.” They also stated, “Our consumers and everyone in the food industry want and expect a strong FDA, and a consistent, science-based national regulatory framework. We have been saying for years that FDA is the rightful national regulatory decision maker and leader in food safety.”
The FDA has announced that manufacturers will have until January 15, 2027, or January 18, 2028, to produce products without Red No. 3. Once the new policy is in effect, international brands will also be required to follow these same regulations when importing food and drinks into the United States.
