Ruqayyah Snyder
Red Dye No. 3, also known as erythrosine, has been a topic of concern for decades due to its link to cancer in laboratory rats. In 1990, it was banned from use in cosmetics in the United States, but it remained in the food and drinks consumed not just in the US, but also in Australia and other countries. In 2022, advocacy groups petitioned the FDA, citing evidence of its cancer risks, and in 2025, the FDA finally announced a ban on Red Dye No. 3, acknowledging the unacceptable risks posed by the dye. While Red Dye No. 3 is being phased out, this has sparked discussions about the safety of other artificial dyes and the need for consumers to scrutinize the ingredients in their food and drinks.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Is Red Dye banned in Australia? | Red Dye No.3 is banned in Australia. |
| Which Red Dye? | Red Dye No.3, also known as FD&C Red No.3, erythrosine, or Red 3. |
| When was it banned? | Banned in 2025. |
| What products was it banned in? | Food and ingested drugs. |
| Why was it banned? | Studies linked the dye to thyroid cancer in male rats. |
| Is it completely phased out? | No, companies have until 2027-2028 to remove it from their products. |
| What are the alternatives? | Beet juice, carmine (made from bugs), betacyanins (found in beetroots), and anthocyanins (derived from fruits and vegetables). |
| Are there other red dyes in use? | Yes, Red 129 (Allura Red), Red E120 (natural additive made from cochineal beetles), and natural alternatives like beetroot, anthocyanins, and paprika. |
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What You'll Learn
Red Dye No. 3 banned in cosmetics in 1990
In 1990, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) banned Red Dye No. 3, also known as FD&C Red No. 3, erythrosine, or Red 3, from being used in cosmetics. This decision was made in response to studies that linked the dye to cancer in laboratory rats. The FDA cited the Delaney Clause as the reason for the ban, which prohibits the authorization of any food or color additive that is found to induce cancer in humans or animals.
Despite the ban in cosmetics, Red Dye No. 3 continued to be used in various foods and drinks, including candies, cakes, cupcakes, cookies, frozen desserts, frostings, icings, and some pharmaceutical drugs. It is important to note that the hormonal mechanism through which the dye caused cancer in rats is specific to the animal and has not been found to occur in humans. However, consumer advocacy groups have been pushing for broader bans and encouraging consumers to demand cleaner and safer options.
In 2022, a coalition led by the Center for Science in the Public Interest petitioned the FDA, presenting more evidence of the potential cancer risks associated with Red Dye No. 3. As a result, the FDA has recently taken action to ban the use of this dye in food and ingested drugs, with manufacturers given until January 15, 2027, or January 18, 2028, to remove it from their products.
Red Dye No. 3 has been heavily restricted in food in Australia, New Zealand, and the European Union for decades. While it is banned in food use, it is still allowed in certain types of cherries in these countries. Natural alternatives to synthetic dyes, such as beetroot, anthocyanins, and cochineal beetle, are commonly used in Australia.
While the ban on Red Dye No. 3 in cosmetics occurred in 1990, it is important to note that the dye continued to be used in various consumer products until recent years. The recent FDA ban on its use in food and ingested drugs is a significant step towards ensuring public health and safety.
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Red Dye No. 3 linked to cancer in rats
Red Dye No. 3, also known as FD&C Red No. 3, erythrosine, or Red 3, has been banned in the US as of 2025. This decision was made by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) after reviewing evidence that indicated the dye caused cancer in male laboratory rats. The ban comes after decades of concern from consumer advocacy groups and a 2022 petition filed by several public interest groups.
Red Dye No. 3 is a synthetic dye made from petroleum that gives products a bright, cherry-red color. It has been used for decades in thousands of products, including candies, cakes, cookies, medications, and supplements. While it was banned from use in cosmetics in 1990 due to its links to cancer in animals, it was still deemed safe for ingestion.
Studies have shown that male rats fed large amounts of Red Dye No. 3 were much more likely to develop malignant thyroid tumors than rats who were not given the food coloring. They also had an increased incidence of benign tumors and abnormal cell growth in the thyroid. However, it is important to note that the hormonal mechanism through which the dye caused cancer in rats is specific to the animal and does not occur in humans, according to the FDA.
In Australia, Red Dye No. 3 has been heavily restricted in food for decades, and it is only allowed in preserved cherries and icings or frostings in limited quantities. While the dye's use has been limited in Australia compared to other countries, it is still found in some imported goods, especially from countries with lax regulations.
The ban on Red Dye No. 3 in the US has sparked discussions about the safety of other food dyes and the need for broader bans and regulations to ensure the safety of consumers.
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Red Dye No. 3 alternatives
Red Dye No. 3, also known as FD&C Red No. 3, erythrosine, or Red 3, has been banned in Australia and New Zealand for years. This synthetic dye, made from petroleum, gives products a bright cherry-red colour. It was banned from cosmetics in 1990 due to its links to cancer, but it was still deemed safe for ingestion. However, in 2022, the FDA acknowledged the unacceptable risks posed by the dye and took action to ban it.
With the ban on Red Dye No. 3, manufacturers are turning to natural alternatives to achieve vibrant red hues. Some popular replacements include:
- Beet juice: This is a natural, plant-based option used in products like Popsicle-brand fruit pops and Edy's Strawberry Ice Cream.
- Purple sweet potato and red cabbage extracts: These plant-based colorants provide rich red and purple tones, offering a versatile alternative.
- Carmine: Derived from cochineal insects, carmine is another natural option, although it is not suitable for vegans.
- Betacyanins, found in beetroots, and anthocyanins, derived from fruits and vegetables, are other possible alternatives.
The shift to natural dyes is expected to improve consumer trust as people increasingly prefer clean-label ingredients in their food. Additionally, natural alternatives are common in Australia, with additives like beetroot, anthocyanins (found in berries and grapes), and paprika being permitted. However, these natural alternatives may not always be as stable or affordable as synthetic dyes.
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Other red dyes linked to health concerns
While Red Dye No. 3 has been banned in Australia, other red dyes continue to be used in the country, some of which have also been linked to health concerns. Red 129, also known as Allura Red, is a synthetic dye that has been linked to cancer in mice. However, the results of these studies have been largely unsubstantiated, and Food Standards Australia New Zealand has emphasized that the dose of the dye is crucial, with some chemicals being safe at low doses despite causing adverse effects in animals at high doses.
Yellow No. 5, another synthetic dye, has been associated with irritability and depression in some children, according to certain studies. Additionally, several synthetic food dyes have been indicated in animal studies to potentially affect attention span and memory. Nevertheless, reviews by Food Standards Australia New Zealand and the European Food Safety Authority have concluded that the evidence does not sufficiently prove a link between artificial dyes and behavioural changes.
It is worth noting that Australia has its own food regulatory system and legislation, which means that an additive banned in one country may not be banned in Australia. For example, the use of tartrazine as a food additive colour is approved in Australia and many other countries, but it is not permitted in the US due to possible polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in certain production processes.
While Red Dye No. 3 has been heavily restricted in Australia, other artificial dyes like Red No. 40 are still in use and have also been linked to potential health concerns. Advocacy groups are pushing for broader bans and encouraging consumers to demand cleaner, safer options. As consumers become more vigilant about the ingredients in their food, companies may be incentivized to opt for natural alternatives, such as beetroot, anthocyanins, and paprika.
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Red Dye No. 3 in imported goods
Red Dye No. 3, also known as FD&C Red No. 3, erythrosine, or Red 3, is a synthetic dye made from petroleum that gives products a bright cherry-red colour. In 1990, the FDA banned Red No. 3 in cosmetics due to studies that linked it to cancer in laboratory animals. However, it was still deemed safe for ingestion and was widely used in food and drinks. In 2022, the FDA received a petition from advocacy groups citing evidence of its cancer risks, and in 2025, the FDA officially banned Red Dye No. 3 from foods, drugs, and dietary supplements.
While Red Dye No. 3 is banned in the US, other countries still allow its use, including in imported goods. The ban does not apply to imported foods, but they must meet the new US requirements. This means that imported goods into the US may still contain Red Dye No. 3 until the specified dates. It is important to scrutinize the ingredients of imported goods and be cautious of products from countries with lax regulations.
In Australia, Red Dye No. 3 has been heavily restricted for decades, but it was not banned in all foods until 2025, in line with the US ban. While some Australian brands have committed to avoiding synthetic dyes, imported goods may still contain Red Dye No. 3 if they comply with the importing country's requirements. Consumers should carefully read product labels and be aware of the potential presence of Red Dye No. 3 in imported goods until the specified phase-out dates.
It is worth noting that the safety of Red Dye No. 3 for human consumption is still debated. While studies have shown links to cancer in male rats, the FDA and other regulatory bodies have stated that the mechanism of cancer causation is specific to rats and does not occur in humans. The International Association of Colour Manufacturers and the International Association of Color Manufacturers defend the dye, citing research that reinforces its safety at typical consumption levels.
As consumers, it is essential to be vigilant about the ingredients in our food and to advocate for safer alternatives. While Red Dye No. 3 is being phased out, there are still other artificial dyes in use with potential health concerns. Consumers can use their purchasing power to push for cleaner, healthier products and hold companies accountable for the ingredients they use.
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Frequently asked questions
Red Dye No. 3, also known as erythrosine, has been banned in Australia since 2025. However, it is still present in some imported goods, especially from countries with lax regulations.
Red Dye No. 3 is a synthetic cherry-red colouring made from petroleum. It has been used for decades in products like candies, cake decorations, and even some medications and supplements.
Red Dye No. 3 was banned due to health concerns. Studies in the 1980s and 1990s linked the dye to cancer in laboratory animals, specifically thyroid cancer in male rats. However, it is important to note that no link between the dye and cancer in humans has been found.
