Red dye used in over 9,200 processed foods and drinks banned for link to cancer
A synthetic red dye used in thousands of food and drink products has been banned by US officials after being linked to cancer.
Bright cherry-colored Red No 3 had its use authorization revoked on Wednesday by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which stated that two studies showed cancer in laboratory rats exposed to it.
The additive is used in more than 9,200 food products including hundreds made by big companies, per the Center for Science in Public Interest (CSPI), a food safety advocacy group that called on the FDA to investigate in 2022.
It is used in items like candies, cakes, cupcakes, frozen desserts, frostings, icings, beverages, cereals and dietary supplements.
‘The FDA cannot authorize a food additive or color additive if it has been found to cause cancer in human or animals,’ stated the FDA’s deputy director for human foods, Jim Jones.
‘Evidence shows cancer in laboratory male rats exposed to high levels of FD&C Red No. 3.’
The FDA in its announcement noted that the way the dye caused cancer in the male rats ‘does not occur in humans’ and that the exposure levels to the additive in humans are ‘typically much lower than those that cause the effects shown in male rats’.
Some companies have already stopped using the additive like Just Born, which makes Peeps has not used the dye since Easter 20204.
The advocacy rejoiced at the FDA’s decision.
‘At long last, the FDA is ending the regulatory paradox of Red 3 being illegal for use in lipstick, but perfectly legal to feed to children in the form of candy,’ stated CSPI President Dr Peter Lurie.
‘It removes an unnecessary hazard from the American food supply, and we welcome that action, even though it should have occurred more than three decades ago.’
Red No 3 was approved for food use in 1907 and is made of petroleum.
The ban comes more than three years after Johnson & Johnson recalled five aerosol sunscreen products that were found to contain a cancer-causing chemical.
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