FDA Bans Red Dye 3 in Foods, Linking It to Cancer in Rats

This is a welcome, but long overdue, action from the FDA: removing the unsustainable double standard in which Red 3 was banned from lipstick but permitted in candy,

said Dr. Peter Lurie, director of the group Center for Science in the Public Interest, which led the petition effort, as reported by AP

The FDA is taking action that will remove the authorization for the use of FD&C Red No. 3 in food and ingested drugs,

said Jim Jones, the FDA’s deputy commissioner for human foods, in a statement

Evidence shows cancer in laboratory male rats exposed to high levels of FD&C Red No.3,

he continued

Today's action by the FDA marks a monumental victory for consumer health and safety,

Ken Cook, president of the Environmental Working Group, among the groups that had petitioned for the ban, said in a press release

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,

trade group National Confectioners Association said

Our consumers and everyone in the food industry want and expect a strong FDA, and a consistent, science-based national regulatory framework.

She added

The FDA cannot authorize a food additive or color additive if it has been found to cause cancer in human or animals,

Jim Jones, the FDA's deputy director for human foods, said in a statement

The FDA should act quickly to protect the nation’s youth from this harmful dye, used simply to give food and drinks a bright red color,

the letter said

Today’s action by FDA is long overdue, is a small step in the right direction, and hopefully signals a renewed effort by FDA to do its job despite the many barriers the food industry places in its way,

said Dr. Jerold Mande, adjunct professor of nutrition at the Harvard University T.H. Chan School of Public Health, via email