The Food and Drug Administration is ordering food and drug makers to remove a dye called Red 3 from the products U.S. consumers eat and drink.
The colorant was banned from cosmetics and non-oral medications decades ago because a study showed it caused cancer when eaten by rats. But it kept appearing on the ingredient lists of popular snack foods and other grocery products because it remained approved for use until now.
Consumer advocates monitor manufacturers that still include the additive, and companies often switch to less notorious alternatives. Shoppers should always check food labels to see if an item they want to buy includes Red 3, which is also known as erythrosine and FD&C Red No. 3.
Product Categories Affected
These are some of the product categories where the dye is most likely to show up, and products that do not use it.
Candies
Brach’s Conversation Hearts and Brach’s Candy Corn both contain Red 3. Also, Pez and Ring Pops include Red 3 in their ingredients list. However, some other red candies like Swedish Fish and Wild Cherry Lifesavers use Red 40.
Baked Goods and Snacks
Some baked goods and snacks, mostly with red icing, contain Red 3. Betty Crocker Red Decorating Icing and cookies with red sprinkles are examples of products that use Red 3.
Dairy and Frozen Foods
Strawberry-flavored milk, ice cream, frozen yogurt, and popsicles may contain Red 3. TruMoo Strawberry Whole Milk is one such product.
Fruit Products
Many maraschino cherry brands have switched to Red 40, while Kroger Extra Cherry canned fruit cocktail contains Red 3. Ensure Original Strawberry Nutrition Shake also contains Red 3.
Medications
Consumer advocates say some gummy vitamins and medications contain Red 3, while others use natural coloring or alternate dyes. Vicks Formula 44 and Luden’s cough drops use Red 40.
