FDA Bans Red Dye 3

Matthew Krüger ’27
krugermj98@lakeforest.edu
JOUR 320 Writer

When Lake Forest College sophomore Evan Raczkowski first heard about the FDA’s ban on Red Dye 3, his reaction was immediate: “Wait, does this mean no more pink Starbursts?”

With the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) banning Red Dye 3, consumers nationwide face major changes in their food and beverage options as manufacturers begin reformulating thousands of products. The agency announced in January [2025] that companies using the dye in food must comply with new regulations by Jan. 15, 2027, while those using it in drugs have an additional year to make adjustments. 

The ban follows a petition from health advocates, including public health organizations, medical professionals, and consumer safety groups, citing studies linking Red Dye 3 to cancer and potential behavioral issues in children. The synthetic dye has been prohibited in cosmetics for more than 30 years and is already banned in Europe, Japan, and China, among other countries.

Many popular food items contain the dye, including desserts, snacks, and beverages such as Nesquik strawberry-flavored milk, Jack Link’s beef and cheddar sticks and various ice cream flavors. Locally, students at Lake Forest College might notice changes to campus vending machine snacks and dining hall desserts as companies comply with the new guidelines.

Red Dye 40, another commonly used food dye, however, remains legal in the United States despite facing similar scrutiny. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Red 40 is the most widely used food dye in the country, found in more than 36,000 products like Hot Cheetos, Gatorade, and Skittles. California became the first state to ban its use in school food in 2023, though it won’t be implemented until 2027, and other states, including Illinois, are considering similar restrictions, news reports show.

Scientific studies and consumer advocacy have played a key role in pushing the FDA toward banning these products. Research conducted by the Center for Science in the Public Interest, a nonprofit consumer advocacy organization focused on nutrition and food safety, has consistently highlighted the potential health risks of artificial dyes.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the incoming U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), has spoken out against artificial dyes and the FDA’s regulatory system. As head of HHS, which oversees key agencies like the FDA, Kennedy’s stance could lead to increased scrutiny of artificial additives and potential regulatory changes.

 “The first thing I’d do isn’t going to cost you anything because I’m just going to tell the cereal companies: Take all the dyes out of their food,” Kennedy said during an October 2024 appearance on Fox & Friends.For consumers looking to avoid Red Dye No. 3 and other synthetic additives, read ingredient labels and check out resources such as the Environmental Working Group’s (EWG) Food Scores database, which provides information on ingredients in thousands of products.