The U.S. FDA has officially (and finally!) banned the use of FD&C Red No. 3, an artificial dye that has been linked to cancer risk. The petroleum by-product is added to give foods, drinks, and medications a bright, cherry-red colour.

Red dye #3 can be found in various foods and products such as candy, baked goods, ice cream, maraschino cherries, prepared rice and pasta dishes, prepared sauces, and some cosmetics and personal care items like lipsticks and shampoos. According to the Environmental Working Group, over 3,000 food products contain this artificial dye! You would expect to find it in candy, like Jelly Belly and Brach’s Star Brites, but you might be surprised to find it in Dole Fruit Packs, Betty Crocker Loaded Potato Casserole, Vigo Saffron Yellow Rice and, shockingly, PediaSure Grow & Gain Kids’ Ready-to-Drink Strawberry Shake! Erythrosine is also in Pop Tarts Frosted Confetti Cake Bites, Goya Foods Guava Nectar, Yoo-hoo Strawberry Drink, Nestle Nesquik Low-Fat Milk, Strawberry, and many, many other foods found in most kitchens.

Food manufacturers have until January 15, 2027 to reformulate their products. In the meantime, carefully read all food and beverage labels to avoid artificial food dyes, and instead, choose products that are made with natural dyes (or not coloured at all).

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