FDA may ban Red 3 from foods

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(npr.org)

The Food and Drug Administration is considering a ban on food dye, Red No. 3. The agency has been reviewing a petition to ban the colorant since 2022. The petroleum-based dye has been used for more than 50 years in thousands of products including candy, snack foods, and soda.

But the concern about use of the dye in food has grown. Last year, the state of California passed a law to ban Red No. 3 — the law is slated to take effect in 2027. Lawmakers in ten other states have introduced legislation to ban Red No. 3 in foods, according to the Center for Science in The Public Interest. An FDA spokesperson tells NPR a decision could come "soon."