That maraschino cherry in your Manhattan could also be your final — the FDA has lastly banned using Pink 3, a recognized carcinogen, in meals, drinks, and ingested medicine1.
“In the end, the FDA is ending the regulatory paradox of Pink 3 being unlawful to be used in lipstick, however completely authorized to feed to kids within the type of sweet.”
Dr. Peter G. Lurie, CSPI President
This announcement comes greater than 30 years after scientists first found the hyperlinks between this frequent meals dye and most cancers in animals. The invention led to it being banned throughout the board within the European Union, however, confusingly, solely in topical drugs within the U.S.
“In the end, the FDA is ending the regulatory paradox of Pink 3 being unlawful to be used in lipstick, however completely authorized to feed to kids within the type of sweet,” stated CSPI President Dr. Peter G. Lurie2.
What Is Pink 3?
Added colours have lengthy been used to render meals extra interesting, from the annatto that makes winter butter look richer to the beet juice that provides Pennsylvania Dutch pickled eggs a fairly purple hue. However artificial meals dyes are one other story. Invented within the 19th century, these synthetic colorings quickly grew to become in style — after which shortly raised suspicion round their security3.
You’ll discover Pink 3 in sprinkles, icings, strawberry milk, sweet, processed meats, and seasoning mixes, to not point out non-topical drugs like cough syrups and acetaminophen.
Pink 3 dye, additionally recognized by its chemical title erythrosine, is without doubt one of the oldest authorized meals colorings within the U.S. Derived from petroleum, this artificial dye is used to present tons of of merchandise a brilliant, cherry-red colour. You’ll discover Pink 3 in sprinkles, icings, strawberry milk, sweet, processed meats, and seasoning mixes, to not point out non-topical drugs like cough syrups and acetaminophen.
The FDA Ban on Pink Dye No. 3
Pink 3 dye was first linked to thyroid most cancers in rats in a 1988 research within the Japanese Journal of Most cancers Analysis4. These findings had been later confirmed by a 2012 analysis evaluation within the Worldwide Journal of Occupational Environmental Well being5.
On account of this animal analysis, Pink 3 has been (largely) banned within the European Union since 19946. However whereas the FDA enacted a partial ban on the dye in 1990, eradicating it from topical medicine and cosmetics, it remained authorized in meals till January 16, 20257.
“Whereas on a regular basis publicity is perhaps decrease than lab doses, the cumulative impact nonetheless issues. And since this dye is artificial—not one thing present in nature—we’ve had safer pure colour choices all alongside. It makes little sense that we banned it in cosmetics 35 years in the past however saved it in meals.”
Dr. Joseph Mercola, Board Licensed Household Drugs Osteopathic Doctor (DO)
This purple dye ban is a very long time coming, in response to Dr. Joseph Mercola, Board Licensed Household Drugs Osteopathic Doctor (DO) and creator of Your Information to Mobile Health. “Animal research a long time in the past confirmed that top doses might set off thyroid tumors, so there’s all the time been a priority,” he stated. “Whereas on a regular basis publicity is perhaps decrease than lab doses, the cumulative impact nonetheless issues. And since this dye is artificial—not one thing present in nature—we’ve had safer pure colour choices all alongside. It makes little sense that we banned it in cosmetics 35 years in the past however saved it in meals.”
So why did it take us over 30 years longer than our European associates to ban this carcinogenic (and fully aesthetic!) additive?
A Harmful Loophole
The preliminary partial ban on Pink 3 hinged on the Delaney Clause of the FDA’s Federal Meals, Drug, and Beauty Act. Enacted in 1960, the clause prohibited any colour components linked to most cancers in animals or people. However whereas the FDA stories reevaluating the ingredient’s security a number of occasions because it was authorized within the Sixties, Pink 3 remained authorized to be used in meals and non-topical medicine. This, the FDA said, got here right down to an absence of “sources required to take away this authorization.”8 Nevertheless it additionally was as a consequence of a loophole.
The way in which that Pink 3 induced most cancers within the lab rats within the 1988 research was linked to a rat-specific hormonal mechanism that can’t happen in people. Consequently, the FDA maintained that people had been within the clear. However for a lot of consultants, this interpretation runs counter to the very spirit of the clause.
“The FDA mandate below the Delaney Clause says that if it reveals most cancers in animals or people, they’re supposed to maintain it from the meals provide,” Dr. Jennifer Pomeranz, affiliate professor of public well being coverage and administration at New York College’s College of International Public Well being, advised CNN. “There may be not a rational cause inside FDA’s mission that they didn’t ban purple dye #3 from meals within the Nineties.” There may be, nevertheless, an irrational cause: trade stress.
How the Trade Silenced Pink Dye Most cancers Prevention
“Trade works with Congress to dam funding for the wanted analysis,” Dr. Jerold Mande, adjunct professor of vitamin on the Harvard College T.H. Chan College of Public Well being, advised CNN9. The Washington Put up reported again in 1989 that the maraschino cherry trade, which, in response to the Middle for Science within the Public Curiosity, is the largest client of purple No. 3.7, was significantly vocal in opposing a ban, arguing that “shoppers won’t ever eat them except they’ve this brilliant purple component.”10 It’s not for nothing that the EU nonetheless has an exception for maraschino cherries in its ban.
One extra issue Mande cited is the shortage of U.S. authorities funding of the precise type of research that may doubtlessly show extra conclusively the “precise well being dangers” posed by the dye. In different phrases, if the federal government had funded the related analysis, we’d have already had the scientific proof to show Pink 3 is carcinogenic to people.
New Analysis and New Mobilization
If the FDA was lastly compelled to take motion on Pink 3, it was partly due to a 2022 petition submitted by over 20 client advocacy teams and people, together with the Middle for Science within the Public Curiosity and the Environmental Working Group11. The petition demanded the FDA evaluation whether or not the Delaney Clause utilized. Roughly three years later, the FDA complied by revoking using the dye and successfully banning it within the U.S.
Different Worries Linked to Pink 3
The ban on Pink 3 comes not a second too quickly. In spite of everything, within the 30 years for the reason that carcinogenic results of Pink 3 got here to mild, different research have spotlighted extra well being dangers. Most notably, we’ve seen regarding results of the chemical on kids — usually the very targets of the brightly-colored sweets that use the dye most.
In 2021, a California Workplace of Environmental Well being Hazard Evaluation analysis evaluation appraised the physique of knowledge linking artificial dyes, together with Pink 3, to behavioral points like ADHD in kids12. Consequently, the state of California handed a ban on the additive in October 2023, efficient in 202713. At the very least 10 different states adopted swimsuit and launched related laws.
The FDA’s choice finally “ends the regulatory paradox of Pink 3,” Dr. Thomas Galligan, principal scientist for meals components and dietary supplements on the Middle for Science within the Public Curiosity in Washington, DC advised CNN9. However, he provides, the company “has a protracted approach to go to reform the damaged system that allowed Pink 3 to stay in meals a long time after it was proven to trigger most cancers when eaten by animals.”
What Occurs Subsequent?
Simply because Pink 3 has been banned doesn’t imply it’s going to vanish from grocery shops instantly. Meals producers have till January 15, 2027 to eradicate the additive from their recipes; drug producers have one other 12 months and three days to do the identical. The identical guidelines and laws will apply for imported meals produced exterior of the U.S.
Producers and importers will possible want on a regular basis they will get — in response to a database compiled by the Environmental Working Group, Pink 3 is current in additional than 2,000 meals14. These purple dye 3 meals embody many seasonal candies like dialog hearts and sweet corn, in addition to PEZ, some Ringpops, Betty Crocker Pink Adorning Icing, TruMoo Strawberry Complete Milk, Kroger Further Cherry canned fruit cocktail, and Guarantee Unique Strawberry Vitamin Shake.
Tips on how to Spot Pink 3 In Your Meals Merchandise
Fortunately, it’s comparatively straightforward to keep away from Pink 3, seeing because the FDA requires producers to listing its presence on meals labels. Look not only for Pink 3, but in addition Pink Dye 3, Pink Dye No. 3, or FD&C Pink #3, or erythrosine. In relation to non-topical drugs like cough syrup or red-colored acetaminophen, make sure to examine the “inactive components” part of the packaging.
Basic Mills vowed to take away all synthetic colours from its Trix and Fortunate Charms cereals by the top of 2016, and Kellogg’s promised to eradicate them fully by 2019. Each firms nonetheless use artificial dyes.
It’s straightforward to really feel that the U.S. has fallen woefully behind on security requirements. However it might be heartening to know that many firms had already begun phasing out this chemical independently previous to the FDA ban.
Ferrara, which produces Brach’s candies, has been lowering its use of the chemical since early 2023 — solely 10 % of the corporate’s merchandise nonetheless use Pink Dye 3 right this moment9. Simply Born, the corporate behind PEEPS, stopped utilizing Pink 3 after final Easter15. However different firms are all discuss: Basic Mills vowed to take away all synthetic colours from its Trix and Fortunate Charms cereals by the top of 2016, and Kellogg’s promised to eradicate them fully by 2019. Each firms nonetheless use artificial dyes.
The place’s the Subsequent Pink Dye Coming From?
As is commonly the case, quite than eradicating artificial dyes fully, this ban is prompting many meals firms to easily swap to a special Pink. Whereas transferring away from Pink Dye 3 is a win, it gained’t essentially signify progress if we merely shift to a different doubtlessly dangerous artificial dye.
Pink No. 40 is at present the most-used meals dye within the U.S. and has been touted as a more healthy possibility. So is purple dye 40 dangerous for you? Nicely, research present it might not be the saving grace we hoped for.
Can Pink 40 Trigger Most cancers?
In 2023, analysis revealed in Toxicology Reviews discovered that Pink 40 induced DNA injury and colonic irritation in mice16, and benzene, an ingredient in Pink 40, has been recognized by the Worldwide Company for Analysis on Most cancers as “carcinogenic to people17.”
Along with its potential most cancers dangers, analysis revealed in 2012 linked the dye to related behavioral issues in kids as Pink 35, main the State of California to ban the dye from meals and drinks bought in public faculties this previous September18. It’s additionally for that reason that, whereas it has but to ban the dye altogether, the EU requires meals containing purple No. 40 to hold a well being warning referencing its “hostile impact on exercise and a spotlight in kids.”
What Different Dyes Ought to We Be Cautious Of?
Pink dyes aren’t the one problematic artificial components available on the market. Yellow 5 (tartrazine) has been linked to temper issues in kids and is the second-most extensively used meals dye within the U.S., in response to the Middle for Science within the Public Curiosity19. It’s generally present in merchandise with a tell-tale neon yellow shade, like Gatorade and Mountain Dew. Yellow 6 is the third most generally used dye — it’s present in Skittles and could also be carcinogenic5. Each yellow dyes are already banned within the EU. And different dyes like Blue 1, Blue 2, and Inexperienced 3 have been examined for his or her potential well being dangers20.
Fortunately, there are firms paving a brand new method ahead within the house, making the most of pure meals colorings from beetroot, spirulina, carmine, paprika, and turmeric. Selecting pure dyes is the most secure method to make sure our meals system is more healthy — whereas nonetheless making house for a vibrant vary of colours. “Slightly than ready ages for closing proof, selecting fewer synthetic components is the safer wager,” suggests Mercola.
Sources:
- https://www.fda.gov/meals/hfp-constituent-updates/fda-revoke-authorization-use-red-no-3-food-and-ingested-drugs?utm_medium=electronic mail&utm_source=govdelivery
- https://www.cspinet.org/press-release/fda-moves-eliminate-carcinogenic-red-3-foods
- https://www.fda.gov/trade/color-additives/color-additives-history
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2836348/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23026007/
- https://www.cspinet.org/cspi-news/red-3-why-hasnt-fda-banned-carcinogenic-food-dye
- https://www.cspinet.org/cspi-news/red-3-fda-finally-bans-cancer-causing-food-dye
- https://www.fda.gov/trade/color-additives/fdc-red-no-3
- https://www.cnn.com/2025/01/15/well being/red-dye-no-3-ban-fda-wellness/index.html
- https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1989/07/18/dyeing-to-keep-the-cherry-red/59c82b6b-c37c-466c-adb6-f4ce3636d0e7/
- https://www.hfpappexternal.fda.gov/scripts/fdcc/index.cfm?set=FAP-CAP&id=CAP_3C0323
- https://oehha.ca.gov/risk-assessment/report/health-effects-assessment-potential-neurobehavioral-effects-synthetic-food-dyes-children
- https://www.cnn.com/2023/10/09/well being/california-governor-bans-red-dye-no-3-wellness/index.html
- https://www.ewg.org/news-insights/news-release/2025/01/biden-fda-moves-ban-toxic-red-dye-no-3-food
- https://advocacy.consumerreports.org/press_release/consumer-reports-applauds-peeps-candy-maker-for-decision-to-stop-using-red-dye-3-in-advance-of-californias-ban-of-the-dye/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10502305/
- https://www.most cancers.org/most cancers/risk-prevention/chemical compounds/benzene.html
- https://www.cnn.com/2024/08/30/well being/california-food-dye-ban-schools-wellness/index.html
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9052604/
- https://www.cspinet.org/cspi-news/synthetic-food-dyes-rainbow-risks
