After decades of trying to ban Red No. 3 in foods, beverages, and drugs sold or prescribed in Illinois and across the country, the FDA has finally banned the synthetic food dye linked to cancer.

Red Dye No. 3 can be found in more than 3,000 food and drink products sold to consumers like andy, cakes and cupcakes, cookies, frozen desserts, and frostings and icings. It's also used in several oral medicines and dietary supplements people take every day.

Although the FDA has banned the synthetic red dye, it will take a few years to fully get rid of it in foods, drinks, and drugs. So what foods and drinks do Illinoisans need to be aware of that could potentially have FD&C Red Dye No. 3? What should you look for on the labels? And when can you officially stop worrying about the artificial dye linked to cancer?

FDA Bans Red Dye No. 3 In Foods, Drinks, & Drugs

On Wednesday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that, more than thirty years after its initial trial, the agency has banned FD&C Red No. 3, also known as Red Dye No. 3, Red Dye 3, and erythrosine.

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The FDA said the agency is revoking the authorization for the use of FD&C Red No. 3 based on the Delaney Clause of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act).

Data presented to the FDA from a 2022 color additive petition showed that the ingredient causes cancer in male laboratory rats that are exposed to high levels of FD&C Red No. 3 because of a hormonal mechanism that occurs in male rats. Officials say that studies in other animals or in humans did not show the same effect and there is no evidence showing FD&C Red No. 3 causes cancer in humans.

The FDA Tried To Ban Red Dye No. 3 Before

Red Dye No. 3 was first approved for use in food in 1907 and is made from petroleum, according to TODAY.

In 1992, the FDA tried to ban the use of FD&C Red No. 3 in food and ingested drugs based on the Delaney Clause, and for that exact reason, it's being banned now. Given the resources required to remove this authorization, the agency decided not to take action at that time, according to the release.

When Will Red Dye No. 3 Be Removed From Products?

Things don't happen overnight. This isn't like a recall in which every product listing Red Dye No.3, FD&C Red No. 3, or anything similar is yanked off the shelves. Nope, we'll continue to be exposed to it for a few more years.

The FDA says that manufacturers of FD&C Red No. 3 in food and ingested drugs will have until January 15, 2027, or January 18, 2028, respectively, to reformulate their products. However, if a food or drug product was manufactured before the effective date, consumers could see FD&C Red No. 3 as an ingredient in a product on the market past the effective date in the order. If that's the case in a couple of years, just don't buy it.

13 Popular Items Containing Red Dye No. 3

I'm sure you can imagine just how many products have this now-banned red dye.

More than 3,000 food and drink items have Red Dye No. 3 listed as an ingredient. Daily Mail also has a full list of items with names in categories that are easier to follow.

Below is 13 items, or groups if you will, of foods and drinks you need to be on the lookout for that potentially or probably contain Red Dye No. 3. When reading the back of the box, can, or label, don't forget, you're looking for any of these ingredients listed that tell you it has this cancer causing dye:

  • FD&C Red No. 3
  • Red Dye No. 3
  • Red Dye 3
  • Erythrosine

Be cautious of these 13 items.

These 13 Popular Items Contain Cancer-causing Banned Red Dye 3

After decades of trying, the FDA has finally put a ban on Red Dye 3 in food, drinks, and drugs that humans and animals consume. It will take a while for the ban to full take effect so you must be on the lookout for which items contain the cancer-causing additive.

Gallery Credit: Connor Kenney/Townsquare Media Quad Cities

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