Red Dye 3 is a synthetic (human-made in a laboratory), petroleum-derived food colorant used to add a vibrant red color to a variety of products. In 1990, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) banned Red Dye 3 from use in cosmetics like lipstick or blush after it was linked to cancer in animals.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629b93fb256-6d09-4a18-b5d3-21e4714a7b90 On January 15, 2025, the FDA revoked its approval for the colorant to be used as an ingredient in foods, drinks, and medications on the basis of the same evidence. Food manufacturers have until January 2027 to remove Red Dye 3 from their products, and drugmakers have until January 2028 to reformulate their products.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762975aaf7aa-8ebe-40ca-aa57-96c6410b98b9 Here’s what you need to know about Red Dye 3.
What Is Red Dye 3 Used For? Uses Red Dye 3 is primarily used as a colorant in foods and drinks. Its purpose is mainly aesthetic — to make products more visually appealing and provide a cherry or strawberry color to match the flavor profile.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762920bc5553-7fcf-4033-93a5-50382e7dfd6a
Is Red Dye 3 Safe? Safety “Red Dye No. 3 has been linked to several concerning health effects,” says Melinda Ring, MD , the director of the Osher Center for Integrative Health at the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern in Chicago. Health Issues Linked to Red Dye 3 The health concerns around Red Dye 3 are related to two main conditions. Cancer Public health officials, scientists, and consumer advocates have debated the use of Red Dye 3 since the late 1980s, when data showed that high amounts of the additive caused thyroid tumors in lab rats.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976290cb81580-7526-464c-8e6a-c7f8a9d814b1 That evidence led the FDA to ban Red Dye 3 in cosmetics, says Dr. Ring. Later human studies and studies in other animals didn’t find the same risk, and it’s believed that the cancer link may be due to a hormonal mechanism that occurs in male rats.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629e6f607c1-722d-47cb-aac5-95f8c69b6740 “Some research suggests that Red Dye 3 can mimic estrogen and cause DNA damage in lab models, raising concerns about its role in carcinogenesis [cancer development],” says Ring. That means it could potentially be a risk factor in breast cancer.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629abf45e15-22b8-4b6f-9575-e47665e88a34 Hyperactivity There is research to suggest Red Dye 3 may negatively affect the brain, potentially impacting brain chemistry and contributing to hyperactivity in children, says Ring. Products containing artificial food dyes, including Red Dye 3, may also affect memory and learning, and even cause microscopic changes in brain structure, according to some studies in children.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976299ef40e25-4004-4aff-a22a-60058350f874
Common Foods and Products That Contain Red Dye 3 Common Sources Red Dye 3 is found in hundreds of foods, and may be found in some of the following products:e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629bb0084a0-d120-4133-a9f6-594e98952cc1 Archer Farms cookies and trail mixes Bacon bits from brands like Great Value and McCormick Betty Crocker casserole potatoes and pasta salad mixes Cake and cookie mixes, including Funfetti and red velvet varieties Candies such as conversation hearts, Nerds, Trolli gummy candies, jelly beans, licorice, taffy, Mike and Ikes Fruit cocktails and fruit snacks Fruit juice and flavored lemonades from brands like Publix and Dole Goya guava nectar Hot dogs and sausages Keebler sugar wafers Maraschino cherries Meal replacement shakes, like Atkins Strawberry shake, Slim Fast Strawberries & Cream, Ensure Original Strawberry Nutrition Shake Meat jerkies and sticks from brands like Jack Link’s Nestlé strawberry-flavored milk Prepared seafood dishes and spreads, especially ones containing salmon Sprinkles and icing Strawberry, cherry vanilla, and Neapolitan ice creams from brands like Kroger, Good Humor, and Mayfield Creamery Vegan and vegetarian meat substitutes Vigo yellow rice Some over-the-counter medications and supplements The USDA FoodData Central Food Search allows consumers to search all the labels of national and international branded foods for different ingredients, including Red Dye No. 3.
Names for Red Dye 3 Names When reviewing ingredients lists, any of the following names may be used to describe Red Dye 3: Red 3 Red Dye 3 FD&C Red No. 3 These names all refer to the same synthetic food dye.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629180c79bd-7f16-4906-9765-039b395e1994
What’s the Difference Between Red Dye 3 and Red Dye 40? Red Dye 40 is the most widely used color additive, so it’s more prevalent than Red Dye 3.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629326d055f-906c-4d94-a594-9fe3b5479c09 Like Red Dye 3, Red Dye 40 is a synthetic dye made from petroleum. You can find Red Dye 40 in a wider variety of products, including cereals, yogurt, pudding, gelatins, ice cream, sports drinks, soda, energy drinks, protein powders, chips, and salty snack foods. Studies have associated both Red Dye 3 and Red Dye 40 with behavior issues in children, particularly hyperactivity and ADHD.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629bafdffb0-0432-4198-9de3-9305c594abbc Key differences between the two additives: Red Dye 3 is now banned by the FDA. Although Red Dye 40 is restricted in Europe (products containing it require a warning label) and banned from school foods in California, it is approved by the FDA for foods and drinks.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629ab5bef61-7be9-4839-9fcf-80f1fff40997
How to Limit or Avoid Red Dye 3 How to Avoid Until manufacturers completely phase out Red Dye 3 in January 2027, follow these strategies for reducing your exposure. Choose natural alternatives. Instead of choosing foods and drinks that use synthetic dyes, look for safer alternatives made from plants or other natural sources, such as anthocyanins from berries or red cabbage, betalains from beets, carotenoids from paprika, carrots, or tomatoes, and carmine from cochineal insects, says Ring. “These not only provide vibrant hues but also offer additional health benefits, such as antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties,” Ring says. Check ingredient lists. Carefully read ingredient labels to look for and limit exposure to synthetic dyes and other environmental toxins and support a cleaner, safer food supply, says Ring. Especially in products with the signature cherry red color, read the label and avoid Red Dye 3 or its alternative names. Eat whole, real foods. “Focus on eating whole, real foods that don’t need a label,” says Ring. Processed snacks, candies, and brightly colored fruit-flavored drinks are the most likely to contain Red Dye 3. Scan labels with an app. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) and Yuka offer apps that let you scan product barcodes and get immediate safety ratings for ingredients.
The Takeaway The FDA has revoked its approval of Red Dye 3 based on long-standing health concerns. Companies have until 2027 to stop using it in foods and drinks, and until 2028 for drugs. The coloring is widely used in products such as gummy candies, cherry-flavored drinks, gelatin desserts, meat and meat substitutes, and some over-the-counter medications. To limit exposure, opt for natural colorants like beet juice or red cabbage extract and focus on whole, unprocessed foods.
