The Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday banned the use of Red Dye No. 3 in food, beverages, and drugs, more than three decades after the synthetic coloring was found to cause cancer in male laboratory rats. The dye, a petroleum-based additive, has been used to give candy, soda, and other products their vibrant cherry red hue. Consumer advocates said the F.D.A.’s decision to revoke the authorization was long overdue, given the agency’s decision in 1990 to ban the chemical for use in cosmetics and topical drugs. According to the F.D.A., the dye is still used in hundreds of products, and companies will have until 2027 to remove it from their products. Imported foods sold in the United States will also have to remove the additive. The decision was welcomed by the Environmental Working Group, which had petitioned the agency to take action on the additive. “This is wonderful news and long overdue,” said Melanie Benesh, vice president for government affairs at the Environmental Working Group. “Red Dye 3 is the lowest of the low-hanging fruit when it comes to toxic food dyes that the F.D.A. should be addressing.”
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