Is your snack safe? FDA poised to ban red food dye over health concerns

Red 3, a synthetic food dye frequently used in snacks, is being considered for prohibition by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considering the possible health hazards that it poses, multiple media sources reports.

Often added to hundreds of food items, including cereals, candies, and snacks, Red 3 is used to improve appearance but adds no nutritional value. Critics contend that any advantages are outweighed by the dangers which include associations with cancer in animals and behavioral problems in kids.

Jim Jones, an FDA Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods, announced during a Senate hearing that action on Red 3 may occur soon, saying “We have a petition in front of us to revoke the authorization board, and we’re hopeful that in the next few weeks we’ll be acting on that petition,” NBC reports.

The petition makes reference to the Delaney Clause of 1960, which forbids the approval of chemicals that have been shown to cause cancer in humans or animals.

While Red 3 has been prohibited from use in cosmetics since 1990 due to studies that showed it could cause cancer in animals, it continues to be allowed for use in food. Legislators like Representative Frank Pallone Jr. and public health organizations are calling on the FDA to take action.

“There is simply no reason for this chemical to be in our food except to entice and mislead consumers by changing the color of their food so it looks more appealing,” Pallone wrote in a letter to the agency, according to The Guardian.

Studies suggest that artificial dyes may contribute to behavioral issues in children and damage to gut health, with animal research establishing a clear link between Red 3 and cancer, according to NBC.

Thomas Galligan of the Center for Science in the Public Interest emphasizes that these dyes are used primarily for marketing, commenting “They make food look appealing but serve no functional or nutritional purpose,” NY Post reports.