After a The controversial color of red food was banned in the United StatesMore questions about its use have continued to appear. On January 15, the Announced Administration for Food and Medicines That it takes away the authorization of red number 3 in food, drinks and drugs entered across the country, after two studies showed that when the paint was introduced in large quantities by laboratory rats, it caused cancer.
The ban comes and after the state of California banned the same color and three other food additives in 2023What gave the manufacturers by 2027 to change their recipes. Then in 2024, California again made history Ban six more artificial colors – Blue 1, Blue 2, Green 3, Red 40, Yellow 5 and Yellow 6- From to serve in public schools.
Now the FDA is following the suit with the ban on the red number 3. Here's all you need to know about the synthetic color.
What is red no. 3?
Red number 3 – Also known as FD & C Red number 3, Eritrosine or Red 3 – is a synthetic color that is made of oil And it adds “bright, cherry-red color” to the products to which they are added.
In 1990
The FDA listed him Clause Delani as a reasoning behind the ban, which “prohibits the authorization of a FDA for food supplement or color supplement if it is found to cause cancer in humans or animals.”
Although studies have shown links to cancer in laboratory rats, no color links and cancer in humans have been found.
“While there are studies that notice carcinogenicity in male rats, the FDA noticed in their announcement that the hormonal mechanism through which the color caused cancer in rats is specific to the animal and does not occur in humans,” Brian Hitchcock, Chief Science and Technology Officer of the Institute of Food technologists, told CNET.
Hitchcock added that studies used large amounts of color, which is more than what the average human would consume when eating foods it contains.
“Studies that test red number 3 for human safety have done so far above the average amount of consumption, as stated by various global regulatory bodies,” he says. “The studies listed by the FDA note that rats were given approximately 200 times greater than the probable maximum daily consumption of 0.25 mg/kg body weight per day.
Which food contains red no. 3?
- Candy
- Cakes
- Cupcakes
- Cookies
- Frozen desserts
- Lazy
- Ice
- Certain cherries of Marashino
- Certain processed substitutes for meat and meat
Red number 3 was previously banned in other countries, including Japan and Australia.
Some specific items that currently have red number 3 on the ingredient list are:
- Numerous types of bracin candy, including classic jelly beans, spicy jelly beans and hearts for chat
- Farms Farms Farms Farms Bacon Bacon
- Good humor strawberry shortcut frozen dessert bars
- Pez Candy
According to a List made up of medicines.comSome drugs that have red number 3 include:
- Acetaminophen
- Doxycycline monohydrate
- Gabapentin
- Vivance
When will companies officially remove the red number 3 of the products?
Despite the ban, do not expect to see the red number 3 ingredients to disappear from the ingredient lists too quickly. According to the FDA, companies will have by 2027 or 2028 to remove it from their products.
“Manufacturers using the FD & C Red 3 in food and medicines will have until January 15, 2027, or January 18, 2028, respectively, to reform their products,” the FDA said in a statement.
Alternatives to Red Number 3
Givaudan Sense ColorProduction company that creates natural colors for food and drinks, highlighted Three possible alternatives to red number 3. They include lipstick, which is actually made from errors; Betaciana, found in beets; and anthocyanins, obtained from Fruits and vegetables.
California's parliamentary flag Esses Gabriel said NBC News Although synthetic colors can be cheaper than other alternatives, he does not believe that the red prohibition number 3 will cause the prices of the affected products to be changed.
“We do not expect the price of every food to rise,” he said.
As for alternative synthetic colors, Red 40What is not forbidden by the FDA can also help to achieve a bright red color, so it is also a possible alternative that manufacturers will choose.
Are other color additives safe?
Following the ban on red number 3, there are now eight FDA -approved color additives. They are FD & C Blue No. 1, FD & C Blue No. 2, FD & C Green No. 3, Orange B, Citrus Red number 2, FD & C RED NO. 40, FD & C Yellow No. 5 and FD & C Yellow No. 6.
Hitchcock says that studies have shown that there is no noticeable risk of consuming these colors.
“While science tells us that there is little or no risk of consuming other synthetic colors, it is important to continue to follow and evaluate the safety of food ingredients,” he says. “The advantage is that we continue to invest in more scientific research on the health of our food to ensure safety and provide peace of mind for consumers.”
According to the FDA, the above colors do not pose the same risks as red number 3, so they are still available for use in the United States. But some studies show possible links between certain colors and potential health conditions. For example, some studies have linked the red 40 to hyperactivity, according to Clinic ClevelandBut further studies are still needed to determine a direct link between color and the condition.
Asked about the safety of other food colors, Hitchcock stressed the need for Transparency from the FDA, which it says the agency was addressing.
“We believe there should be a clear framework for reviewing a post-market for food accessory,” Hitchcock said. “The FDA is actively working on resolving this issue as seen in their ''Development of an enhanced systematic process for FDA chemicals evaluation of food chemicals. IFT believes that the FDA should bring an assessment of a post-market for the safety of chemical food that is transparent, scientifically grounded, constitutive and timely. ”
If the drink looks too red to be natural, it probably is.
Ultimately
Red number 3 is completely prohibited in the United States, but will continue to be used in food for the next two years, as producers are working to change their recipes. However, some manufacturers make changes much faster than that.
In e -the to the CBS NewsKeurig Dr. Pepper said that a “new formula” for a strawberry flavored drink, made with red no. 3 To help achieve its color, “will be on the shelves before the end of the year.”