FDA bans Red Dye No. 3, food coloring used in food and drinks
WEST ALLIS, Wis. (CBS 58) — The Food and Drug Administration announced it is banning Red Dye No. 3 – a popular dye used in food and drinks to give them that bright red color.
In nearly every aisle in a grocery store, you’re bound to come across it – the red bag of chips or drinks meant to stop you in your tracks.
Red Dye No. 3, a popular food coloring, can be found in numerous processed food items and even meats.
“Bright, attractive color to food,” said Dr. Ryan Feldman, a clinical toxicologist. “Food industry wants to make their food look eye-catching and those things can make people want to consume things.”
There could be a concerning cost to its appeal.
“People want their meat to be red and they think that’s a normal thing,” said Bela Slotke, a butcher at Rupena’s Fine Foods.
Dr. Feldman says the FDA’s recent ban on Red Dye No. 3 comes from concerns from advocacy groups.
“Due to concerns that primarily stemmed from the causing of thyroid cancer in mice, which was the grounds for it being removed in cosmetic products in the 1990s,” said Dr. Feldman.
Now, the federal government says companies have two years to remove the red dye from their products. Drug companies that use Red Dye No. 3 will have three years to remove it.
“Then that’s more than enough time for them to stop pumping that out there,” said Christian Gonzalez, a parent.
Gonzalez says he’s already removed Red Dye No. 3 from his son’s diet.
“He’s still learning right now, and I’d rather not give him that. I’d rather just shy away from that stuff,” said Gonzalez.
There have been concerns that Red Dye No. 3 could cause increased hyperactivity amongst kids. Dr. Feldman says while that concern has not been confirmed, this ban is a sign that the FDA is open to reevaluating its regulations.
“These bodies are doing what they can to keep the public safe,” said Dr. Feldman.
Even if that means you’ll see less red in your grocery aisles.
“I guess our food will be a little less bright. I think that’s something we’ll all be able to handle,” said Dr. Feldman.