What's Up With Red-3?

Food dyes seem to be everywhere in modern food manufacturing, giving candies, beverages, and baked goods their bright and appealing colors. However, not all food dyes are created equal - and some have been at the center of controversy for their potential negative health effects. Red-3 is one such dye that has recently come under scrutiny, leading to a significant regulatory change in the United States.

Red-3, also called erythrosine, is a synthetic food dye derived from petroleum. It is commonly used to give foods a bright pink or red hue. While Red-3 has been approved for use in food by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), studies have continued to raise concerns about its safety. In the 1980s, research linked Red-3 to thyroid tumors in laboratory animals, leading the FDA to ban its use in cosmetics and certain medications. However, it continued to be used in food due to the FDA's assessment that its risk to humans was minimal at typical consumption levels.

The Environmental Working Group has compiled a list of more than 3,000 consumer products that contain Red-3. Brach's Conversation Hearts and candy corn, Betty Crocker Red Decorating Icing, TruMoo Strawberry Whole Milk, Kroger Extra Cherry canned fruit cocktail, and Ensure Original Strawberry Nutrition Shake are just a few examples of foods that contain Red-3. Some other red foods that use Red-40 instead include Swedish Fish, Wild Cherry Lifesavers, Walmart and Kroger branded maraschino cherries, Hawaiian Punch, and Koolaid.

In October 2023, the FDA announced a new regulation requiring food manufacturers to fully remove the use of Red-3 in foods and beverages by January 2027. The move came after advocacy groups and public health experts pushed for companies to reformulate their products using alternative colorants, such as natural dyes derived from fruits, vegetables, or other sources. (For example, Edy's Strawberry Ice Cream and Popsicle-brand fruit pops both use beet juice for red coloring.) Those who petitioned to have Red-3 prohibited said there is no reason why it can't be taken out of products sooner. It has long been banned in the European Union and some other countries, meaning many companies that sell foods and beverages overseas already have recipes that they can easily swap in for American consumers. 

Common alternatives to synthetic red food dyes include beet juice and pomegranate juice - natural options that companies have shied away from because they are perceived to be more costly. Consumer protection and environmental attorney Vineet Dubey, of the Los Angeles-based Custodio & Dubey LLP law firm, said, "It's cheaper to use these artificial dyes. That's why these companies use them. And if they're allowed to do so in the interest of profits, they're going to use the cheapest material."

With the ban on Red-3 coming soon, could other food dyes be next? Yellow-5 and Yellow-6 dyes have been linked to hyperactivity in children and have raised some concerns about potential contaminants. Some studies have suggested that Blue-1 and Blue-2 dyes may cause adverse effects in high doses, including potential links to cancer in laboratory animals. Red-40, which some companies are using as a replacement for Red-3, has been associated with allergic reactions and some behavioral issues in some children.

The removal of Red-3 from foods is a step toward prioritizing public health and transparency in food labeling. While this change could present challenges for manufacturers, it also signals a broader shift in the food industry toward safer and more natural ingredients. As other synthetic dyes face scrutiny, we can expect continued changes that align with consumer preferences and evolving scientific research. Keep an eye on your food labels!