The outgoing Joe Biden government on Wednesday banned Red Dye No 3, a controversial food colouring long known to cause cancer in animals. The decision comes decades after scientific evidence found the risk and 30 years after it was banned from cosmetics.
“FDA is revoking the authorized uses in food and ingested drugs of FD&C Red No. 3 in the color additive regulations,” the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced on Wednesday.
“The FDA is taking action that will remove the authorization for the use of FD&C Red No. 3 in food and ingested drugs,” said Jim Jones, the FDA’s deputy commissioner for human foods. “Evidence shows cancer in laboratory male rats exposed to high levels of FD&C Red No.3. Importantly, the way that FD&C Red No. 3 causes cancer in male rats does not occur in humans,” it said.
The move follows California’s decision last year to ban four food dyes, including Red 3, and comes amidst increasing pressure to align US regulations with stricter European Union standards.
Concerns about health risks
Red 3 has been banned from cosmetics since 1990 due to its carcinogenic effects in animal tests, a decision made under the 1960 Delaney Clause, which prohibits deeming a colour additive safe if it causes cancer in humans or animals. Despite this, the dye remains authorised in food.
European countries already require warning labels or ban certain dyes altogether, employing a precautionary approach to consumer safety.
The International Association of Color Manufacturers defends the dye, saying that it is safe in levels typically consumed by humans. The group points to research by scientific committees operated by the United Nations and the World Health Organization, including a 2018 review that reaffirmed the safety of Red 3 in food, reported AP. Some food manufacturers have already reformulated products to remove Red 3.