What will replace Red Dye No. 3 in your favorite snacks and drinks?

Red Dye No. 3, also known as erythrosine, will soon disappear from grocery store shelves following a new FDA rule banning its use in food and oral medications. While the dye was banned from cosmetics decades ago, it remained in food products like candies, baked goods, and beverages until now.

RELATED: FDA bans Red 3 food dye, citing cancer risk

The decision has sparked a wave of changes for manufacturers who need to reformulate their products. It also raises questions about what will replace this controversial additive—and whether U.S. food safety standards will align more closely with other countries that have long restricted synthetic dyes.

What is Red Dye No. 3?

The backstory:

Red Dye No. 3 is a synthetic colorant that has been widely used in products like candy, baked goods, and strawberry-flavored drinks. In the 1990s, studies showed that the dye caused cancer in rats, leading to its ban in cosmetics and topical medications. However, it remained in foods and oral drugs due to a loophole that the FDA has only now closed.

The dye has been a popular choice for manufacturers because of its bright, stable color and low cost. But with growing concerns over synthetic additives, many companies had already begun phasing out Red Dye No. 3 before the FDA’s ruling.

What will replace Red Dye No. 3?

What's next:

With the ban, manufacturers are turning to natural alternatives to achieve the vibrant red hues consumers expect. Some popular replacements include:

  • Beet Juice: Used in products like Popsicle-brand fruit pops and Edy’s Strawberry Ice Cream, beet juice is a natural, plant-based option.
  • Purple Sweet Potato and Red Cabbage Extracts: These plant-based colorants provide rich red and purple tones, offering a versatile alternative.
  • Carmine: Derived from cochineal insects, carmine is another natural option, though it is not suitable for vegans.

Experts say the shift to natural dyes could also improve consumer trust, as people increasingly prefer clean-label ingredients in their food.

A package of brightly colored Peeps candies, which contain Red Dye No. 3, a synthetic colorant recently banned by the FDA in food and oral medications. (Photo Illustration by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

How do other countries regulate food dyes?

Big picture view:

Globally, countries like the United Kingdom and members of the European Union have stricter regulations on synthetic dyes, often banning additives like Red Dye No. 3 altogether. The U.S. ban aligns with a growing trend toward tighter food safety standards but still lags behind some international practices.

For example, while Red Dye No. 3 is only now being banned in the U.S., it has been prohibited in Australia and New Zealand for years. These countries rely on natural alternatives to maintain vibrant colors in their foods and drinks.

Why you should care:

The FDA’s ban, set to take full effect by 2027, gives manufacturers time to reformulate their products. For consumers, this could mean seeing more natural ingredients on labels and fewer artificial additives in everyday foods.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and other advocates for stricter food safety regulations have pushed for the removal of synthetic dyes like Red Dye No. 3, citing long-term health concerns. While the U.S. is catching up to international standards, the transition marks a broader shift toward cleaner, more transparent food production.

The Source

This story is based on reporting by the Associated Press, the FDA, and additional insights from food safety experts.

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