The Dirty Details of the Red Dye No. 3 Ban and How Clean Eating is Redefining Food Standards

On January 15th, the FDA announced a full ban on the use of red dye no. 3 in food and drugs. This decision comes decades after banning the pigment-enhancing additive in cosmetics due to concerns about red dye being a known carcinogen. Per the FDA mandate, "manufacturers who use FD&C Red No. 3 in food and ingested drugs will have until January 15, 2027, or January 18, 2028, respectively, to reformulate their products." After this time, the goal is for red dye no. 3 to be completely banned within the U.S. food and drug market.

Years of FDA negligence, shady ingredient labels, and lack of transparency on the part of manufacturers have a lot of consumers seeing red. This milestone decision is a positive step forward in ensuring higher food quality in the U.S.

So what does the ban on red dye mean for consumers? How will this affect product selection, and will health-conscious consumers have more options in a future with less additives? Are all dyes up for debate now that one has been caught red-handed?

The team at Laird Superfood knows prioritizing your health and wellness begins with confidence in your nutrition. Greater transparency is a push in the right direction and we can expect these new regulations to impact many staple foods in our pantries. We're here to demystify the concerns around this common synthetic additive, answer top questions from our community, and offer guidance on replacing artificial food choices with clean, wholesome superfoods.

Let's take a closer look at the red dye no. 3 ban.

What is Red Dye No. 3, and Why Is It Being Banned?

Red dye no. 3 has been around for over a century, with its earliest known use in food and drinks recorded in 1907. Red dye, also known as erythrosine, was popularized to give drinks a signature bright cherry color. At its inception, little research had been conducted on the overall health impacts of this synthetic dye beyond its aesthetic appeal. Red dye has no nutritional value and is used solely for decorative purposes.

Today, top healthcare professionals are taking a much more thorough and scientific look into what goes into our pantry staples. Beth Czerwony, RD, registered dietitian with Cleveland Clinic, explains, "red dye no. 3 is something that the food manufacturers have used. It's a petroleum-based chemical, which now, because it's being banned, has actually had a positive correlation to cause cancer in rats."

This concern is nothing new. Red dye no. 3 was originally banned in the cosmetics industry where it was previously used to create pink and red pigments for makeup, hair dye, and other products. However, with growing concern about the number of additives in American grocery stores, the hard stance from the FDA is notable. It signals a prioritizing of the health of consumers. In fact, many found the ban to be long overdue with concerns of red dye being linked to an increased risk of certain cancers noted in studies as far back as 1990.

With the FDA stepping up to hold manufacturers accountable, the future of whole, quality foods free of chemicals, additives, and dyes is looking bright.

What Foods Will Be Affected by the Ban?

The main targets for the red dye ban will be highly processed food products. This means "junk foods" are getting an ingredient overhaul -- at least as far as their bright red coloring is concerned. Candy, cakes, cereals, soft drinks, icing, and juice are among the top products expected to be impacted by this change. Red gummy bears have become the poster child of the red dye ban, but this new regulation will even affect household staples like ketchup and jelly.

So what will companies use to replace this synthetic additive once the ban comes into full effect? Well, over the next few years, we can expect to see manufacturers shift toward clean ingredient options. The two main natural red dye alternatives are carmine (derived from insects and not necessarily vegetarian or vegan-friendly) and plant-based pigments from sweet potatoes, beets, red cabbage, and radishes.

As whole-food foodies, we're excited to see clean eating take up more space on grocery store shelves. For more information on navigating ingredient labels and prioritizing a superfood-fueled lifestyle, check out our simple guide for spotting dirty ingredients hiding in plain sight.

What About Other Dyes?

The discourse surrounding red dye has opened the consumer community to a conversation surrounding synthetic food coloring as a whole. California has taken the initiative in banning a range of aesthetic additives including the counterpart dye red 40, yellow 5 (tartrazine), yellow 6, green 3, and blue dye 1 and 2.

In Europe, blue dye is the most commonly banned additive, with yellow taking a close second place. These dyes have also come under fire for health concerns pertaining to their potential carcinogenic properties. In addition, food dyes have been linked to allergies, inflammation, fertility issues, hypersensitivity, and GI discomfort. These harsh additives can upset the gastrointestinal biome and throw your body off course.

Many wellness-conscious consumers have chosen to exclude synthetic dyes and additives from their diet altogether. Replacing harmful "filler" ingredients with real, wholesome fuel doesn't need to be time-consuming or costly. Our superfood products are designed to be as delicious as they are accessible. Check out six easy clean eating recipes for your busiest weekdays.

What Does the Ban Mean for Food Quality Overall?

Although the news of a food ban comes with lots of information to sort through, this is a step in the right direction for stricter health and safety regulations in the U.S. The FDA has garnered a reputation for being permissive with hazardous food additives, especially when contrasted against the EU's far more consumer-friendly food standards.

Over-processed foods have become the norm in the U.S., even where additives, dyes, seed oils, and other known nasties are banned internationally. Worse, large manufacturing conglomerates have become far too comfortable using deceptive labels. Even vague statements like "natural flavoring" cannot be trusted. It may be surprising to learn that this statement does not necessarily refer to an entirely "natural" flavor. Any flavoring agent derived from plant or animal sources can be manipulated by chemical and genetic engineering practices and still meets the FDA definition for this label. With the ban on red dye no. 3, consumers will want to be on the lookout for increasingly shady advertising and ingredient marketing.

That said, we're excited to see long overdue action on the part of food regulation officials in advocating for consumers over corporations. The ban on red dye no. 3 is a bold move in the right direction for health and wellness. We all deserve quality food options that nourish and support our lifestyle.

Make Real Food a Priority

Laird Superfood has been leading the way in providing affordable, accessible, whole-food nutrition. We believe in real ingredients for real people. You won't find synthetic dyes, additives, seed oils, and so-called "natural flavors" in our products. We only use simple, minimally processed ingredients. Every ingredient is clearly spelled out -- and easy to pronounce!

We believe in honesty and simplicity as the cornerstones of nutrition. Our plant-based superfoods are packed with antioxidants, adaptogens, vitamins, and minerals naturally designed to power your active lifestyle. Energizing and hydrating, our full range of wholesome nutrition is the perfect pre-workout, meal-on-the-go, or post-workout treat.

Become a part of the Laird Superfood community and join the real food revolution. Explore our Wellness Hub to learn more!

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