The Ban on Red Dye Number Three

The FDA has officially banned red dye number three, a synthetic food coloring commonly used in various products, due to its cancer-causing effects observed in lab rats. This decision comes after decades of scrutiny and criticism from consumer groups that have long pushed for the ban since a petition was filed in 2002. Red dye number three has been prevalent in thousands of items, including candies and sodas, making its removal significant for food manufacturers and consumers. The ban follows the 1958 Delaney Clause, which disallows any food additive that poses a cancer risk, underscoring the FDA's commitment to food safety.