Red Dye No. 3 Is Banned in the US but These 9 Foods Still Contain It

Earlier this year, the US Food and Drug Administration revoked authorization of Red Dye No. 3, a widely used food coloring that has been linked to thyroid cancer. While the ruling spells an eventual end for all use of the culinary colorant, food companies will have several years to remove it from production. Here's everything to know about foods that currently use the synthetic red dye. What is Red No. 3? Red No. 3 -- also known as FD&C Red No. 3, erythrosine or Red 3 -- is a synthetic dye that is made from petroleum and adds a "bright, cherry-red color" to the products it is added to. In 1990, the FDA banned Red No. 3 in cosmetics, but no law barred the synthetic dye from being added to numerous types of foods and drinks for decades to come. The FDA cited the Delaney Clause as its reasoning behind the ban, which "prohibits FDA authorization of a food additive or color additive if it has been found to induce cancer in humans or animals." Although studies did show a link to cancer ... Read full article.