Federal regulators have decided to ban red dye No. 3, a food coloring linked to cancer in animals. This dye will be removed from food products by the year 2027.
Rachel Roubein reports for The Washington Post.
Here’s what you need to know:
- The FDA has banned red dye No. 3 because federal law prohibits any additives that can cause cancer in humans or animals.
- Many believe this ban should have happened long ago. The dye was already banned in cosmetics in 1990 due to similar cancer warnings.
- Food manufacturers have until 2027 to change their recipes, following increasing pressure from the public and government officials to get rid of harmful additives.
One important statement from Jim Jones, the FDA’s deputy commissioner for human foods, highlights the gravity of this decision: “The Delaney Clause is clear; the FDA cannot authorize a food additive or color additive if it has been found to cause cancer in humans or animals.”
This move by the FDA reflects growing concerns about the safety of food ingredients. Figures like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and others are raising awareness about these issues. As discussions about food safety continue, the FDA is also asking Congress for more funding to improve its oversight of chemicals in our food.
For more information, check into ongoing discussions around the health impacts of food additives like red dye No. 3.
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Source linkcancer, chemical regulation, children's health, public health, toxics
