Dozens of American food companies are scrambling to change their recipes after a popular dye was banned over its links to cancer.
The FDA announced a long-awaited ban on the use of red 3 dye in foods, putting manufacturers of countless products on notice, from gummies and hard candies to cake mixes and milk makers.
Several foods are already being reformulated. Yoo Hoo said C.B.S. that the new version of its strawberry drink “will be on the shelves before the end of the year.”
A Nestlé representative stated that most of their recipes no longer contain synthetic dyes, including Red 3. For products that still use the dye, such as Nesquik strawberry milk or Toll House Funfetti cookie dough, they mentioned that “they already They have been actively eliminating ‘it.
Food giant ConAgra also said it is taking steps to phase out the dye. A spokesperson said they are “minimally affected” by the FDA ruling and are “taking steps to remove it from a limited number” of their products in time for the rule’s deadline.
Meanwhile, seasoning and seasoning giant McCormick said it had already begun removing the ingredient from its formulas. Some of their products still listed on Red 3 include vegan imitation bacon chips and Cake Mate red frosting.
Removing the dye is not expected to change the taste or texture of food products, but it could slightly alter the appearance, possibly losing its vibrant red color.
Red 3 is one of countless additives found in foods today, even though its use in cosmetics and topical medications was banned more than 20 years ago due to research conducted in the 1980s and 1990s. found that rats fed large amounts of the dye developed thyroid cancer.
While the FDA maintains that the link between red 3 and cancer has not been established in humans, the dye is believed to cause behavioral changes in children. Studies on the links between red 3 and hyperactivity in children date back to the 1970s, but it is a staple ingredient in some of children’s favorite foods.
Red 3 has been present in American foods for decades, but manufacturers will have until January 2027 to remove it completely. Several brands said they have already started
Early signs show that food manufacturers are willing to accept the necessary changes by January 15, 2027.
The National Confectioners Association, a trade group representing the candy industry, told DailyMail.com: “Food safety is the number one priority for American confectionery companies, and we will continue to follow and comply with guidelines and standards FDA safety regulations.
Meanwhile, Dunkin Donuts acknowledged that menu items containing vegetarian bacon products also contain red 3, adding that the version of the product is sold only at its 48 kosher locations. None of the company’s other locations sell dyed products.
And while a Lindt & Sprüngli spokesperson said none of the company’s Lindt products contain Red 3, it did not respond to CBS’ response for comment on some of its other brands that use Red 3, such as Russel Stover.
Red 3 has given many other food products cherry red hues for decades.
The dye is present in about 26 percent of baking decorations and dessert toppings, 16 percent of gum and mints, 13 percent of candies, and 11 percent of cookies and cakes.
The FDA’s broad ban on red 3 in foods follows one passed in California in October 2023. Before the national ban, several states intended to follow California’s lead, including Illinois, Maryland, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Dakota, Washington and West Virginia,
Food manufacturers responded to California when it passed that ban. Christopher Gindlesperger, senior vice president of public affairs and communications at the NCA, said in 2023 that the ban will likely create “a slippery slope,” adding that the FDA should take over as lead regulator.
This week, the NCA said: “We have been saying for years that the FDA is the legitimate national regulatory decision-maker and leader in food safety.”
There is no indication so far that food manufacturers will challenge the new standard and have enough time to adjust their products to meet the new standards.
There is some concern that manufacturers will choose to use red 40, which, along with red 3, has been associated with various health problems.