The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has taken a significant step in food safety regulation by banning Red Dye 3 (erythrosine) from the nation's food supply, citing studies that found the additive caused cancer in laboratory rats.

Under the new regulations, manufacturers have until January 2027 to remove the dye from food products, while makers of ingested medications like cough syrups have until January 2028 to comply.

Understanding Artificial Food Colors

Synthetic dyes are petroleum-based chemicals that don't occur naturally. They're commonly used to enhance the visual appeal of products. Currently, nine dyes have been permitted in U.S. food, including Blue 1, Blue 2, Green 3, Red 40, Yellow 5, and Yellow 6, with Citrus Red 2 and Orange B being used more rarely.

Health Concerns and Research

The ban comes amid growing concerns about artificial food colorings. Research has linked artificial colors to behavioral issues in some children, particularly those at risk for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). As Dr. L. Eugene Arnold, an emeritus psychiatry professor at Ohio State University, notes: Artificial colors are not the main cause of ADHD, but they may contribute significantly to some cases.

Growing Movement for Natural Alternatives

There's increasing momentum for removing synthetic dyes from foods. California has become the first state to ban six artificial food dyes from public school foods, and more than a dozen state legislatures are considering similar bans.

Natural alternatives do exist. Manufacturers can use natural colorants such as beet juice, carmine (derived from insects), and pigments from purple sweet potato, radish, and red cabbage. However, these natural alternatives can be less stable and may be affected by factors like heat and acid levels.

Consumer Awareness

For consumers looking to avoid synthetic dyes, experts recommend careful label reading. As Dr. Arnold advises: If the list is so long that you don't want bother reading it and it probably has things in it you can't pronounce, don't buy it.