The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is contemplating a nationwide ban on Red No. 3, a synthetic food dye linked to cancer and behavioral issues. This comes after a petition was submitted urging the agency to revoke the approval of the colorant in all food products and medications.
On December 5, the FDA convened with the U.S. Senate’s health committee to discuss the petition, which calls for the removal of Red No. 3—also known as Erythrosine—from foods, dietary supplements, and certain drugs. The dye, derived from petroleum, is commonly used to give foods and beverages a bright red color.
The petition, filed in November 2022 by the Center for Science in the Public Interest, Breast Cancer Prevention Partners, and 22 other organizations, argues that the FDA must adhere to the Delaney Clause, a 1960 law that mandates the removal of any food additive linked to cancer in humans or animals, regardless of its dose.
In its petition, the groups highlighted growing evidence that Red No. 3 is associated with thyroid cancer and other health concerns, including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Research from St. Vincent’s Medical Center has indicated that the dye poses a potential cancer risk, particularly in high doses.
Red No. 3 has already been banned from cosmetics and topical medications since 1990 due to its carcinogenic properties. At the time, the decision stemmed from research showing a link between the chemical and cancer when tested in high doses on lab animals. The ban removed the dye from products such as lotions, lipsticks, and blushes. However, it remains permissible in food products and drugs intended for ingestion.
Jim Jones, deputy commissioner for human foods at the FDA, addressed the petition during the Senate meeting, stating, “We’re hopeful that in the next few weeks, we’ll be acting on that petition.”
Despite the known risks, the dye is still widely used in snacks, candies, and over-the-counter medications. The FDA’s delay in removing it from food has drawn criticism, with some advocacy groups accusing the agency of succumbing to pressure from the maraschino cherry industry, which relies on the dye for its products.
The Center for Science in the Public Interest has been vocal about the FDA’s inaction, stating, “For 33 years, the FDA has failed to keep its promise and uphold its duty to remove this known carcinogen from American foods.”
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