On January 15th, the FDA revoked authorization of FD&C Red No. 3, also known as Red 3. The dye must be removed from food by 2027 and from medicines by 2028. Groups petitioned the FDA to ban Red 3 because of its links to cancer in animals. Other health concerns expressed about synthetic food dyes, including Red 3, are hyperactivity and behavior problems in children, although more research is needed in this area.

The petition to ban the dye Red No. 3 was originally submitted in 2022 and has since been under review by the FDA.

While there are several synthetic food dyes that have are being researched for potential harmful health effects, Red 3 is being focused on due to the previous ban in cosmetics and legislation in several states that already ban its use.

Nine synthetic food dyes are currently approved for use by the FDA, all made from a petroleum or coal source: Blue 1, Blue 2, Green 3, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Red 3, Red 40, Citrus Red 2, and Orange B. Research and concern have increased in recent years over possible harmful health effects from these synthetic dyes.

In September 2024, California banned the use of Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1, Blue 2 and Green 3 in public schools due to some evidence that points to a behavioral effect in children.

We are still learning about the long-term health effects of synthetic dyes, and public health experts are still determining if enough evidence of negative health effects exists to ban these food dyes and what amount and strength of evidence is needed.

Research is still ongoing on the effect of dyes on children, including effects on attention and behavior.