Major food manufacturers issue update about the chemicals in their products after FDA red dye ban

Dozens of American food companies are scrambling to change their recipes after a popular coloring was banned over its links to cancer.

The FDA announced a long-awaited ban on the use of red 3 dye in foods, putting makers of countless products from gummies and hard candies to cake mixes and milk manufacturers on notice.

Several foods are already being reformulated. YooHoo told CBS that the new version of its strawberry drink ‘will be on shelves before the end of the year.’

A Nestlé representative stated that the majority of their recipes no longer contain synthetic colors, including Red 3. For products that still use the dye, such as Nesquik strawberry milk or Toll House Funfetti cookie dough, they mentioned they have been ‘already been actively removing’ it.

Food behemoth ConAgra also said it is taking steps to phase out the dye. A spokesperson said they are ‘minimally impacted’ by the FDA’s ruling, and are ‘taking steps to remove it from a limited number’ of their products in time for the rule’s deadline.

Meanwhile, seasoning and condiments giant McCormick said it had already begun stripping the ingredient from its formulas. Some of their products still listing Red 3 include vegan imitation bacon chips and Cake Mate red icing.

Removing the dye is not expected to change the taste or texture of food products but could slightly alter the appearance, possibly losing their vibrant red color. 

Red 3 is one of countless additives in food today, despite having been banned from use in cosmetics and topic medications over 20 years ago due after research conducted in the 1980s and 90s found that rats fed large amounts of the dye developed thyroid cancer.

While the FDA maintains that the link between red 3 and cancer has not been made in humans, the dye is believed to cause behavioral changes in children. Studies into the ties between red 3 and hyperactivity in children date back to the 1970s, yet its a staple ingredient in some of kids’ favorite foods.

Early signs show that food manufacturers are willing to accept the necessary changes by Jan. 15, 2027.

The National Confectioners Association, a trade group representing the candy industry, told DailyMail.com: ‘Food safety is the number one priority for U.S. confectionery companies, and we will continue to follow and comply with FDA’s guidance and safety standards.’

Meanwhile, Dunkin Donuts acknowledged that items on the menu containing vegetarian bacon products also contain red 3, adding that version of the product is sold only in its 48 kosher locations. None of the company’s other locations sell products with the dye.

And while Lindt & Sprüngli spokesperson said none of the company’s Lindt products contain Red 3, it did not respond to CBS response for comment regarding some of its other brands that use red 3, such as Russel Stover.

Red 3 has been giving countless other food products cherry red hues for decades. 

The dye is present in around 26 percent of baking decorations and dessert toppings, 16 percent of chewing gum and mints, 13 percent of candy, and 11 percent of cookies and biscuits. 

The FDA’s sweeping ban on red 3 in food follows one passed in California in October 2023. Before the national ban, several states aimed to follow California’s path, including Illinois, Maryland, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Washington, and West Virginia,

Food manufacturers pushed back against California at the time of passing that ban. Christopher Gindlesperger, senior vice president of public affairs and communications at the NCA, said in 2023 that the ban will likely create ‘a slippery slope,’ adding that the FDA should step up as chief regulator.

This week, the NCA said: ‘We have been saying for years that FDA is the rightful national regulatory decision maker and leader in food safety.’

There is no indication so far that food manufacturers will challenge the new rule, and they will have sufficient time to adjust their products to meet the new standards.

There is some concern that manufacturers may opt to use red 40, which, along with red 3, has been associated with various health concerns.