Today, Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Committee Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) and Ranking Member of the Energy and Commerce Committee Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) urged the Biden Administration's Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to finalize a ban on the carcinogenic food dye FD&C No. 3, known as Red 3, in the use of foods:

"Over thirty years ago, FDA banned the use of Red 3 - a carcinogenic dye in many products including cosmetics," the lawmakers said. "And yet, for over thirty years the same dye has been allowed to color food consumers eat - misleading them by changing the color of their food and exposing them to a dangerous chemical that has been shown to cause cancer in animals and have lifelong, negative impacts on children. It is time to act - we urge the Biden Administration to use its regulatory authority and move quickly to finalize a ban on carcinogenic Red 3."

In 1990, FDA banned the use of Red 3 in cosmetics and externally applied drugs, based on a study that found it caused cancer in rats. Under the Delaney Clause of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, the FDA is required to ban any food additive that is found to cause cancer in humans or animals.

The problem with Red 3 is clear. The National Toxicology Program, the European Commission's Scientific Committee for Food, and the World Health Organization have all concluded that Red 3 causes cancer in animals. Red 3 was also determined by the state of California to cause neurobehavioral issues in children. There is no aesthetic reason good enough to justify a carcinogen in the food supply.

DeLauro and Pallone both sent letters urging the Biden Administration to finalize a ban on Red 3. DeLauro's November 25^th letter can be read here. Pallone's December 5^th letter can be read here.