What Foods Have Red Dye 3? Here’s What to Know About the Ban

On January 15, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) officially banned Red No. 3, a color additive used in food, beverages, and ingested drugs in the U.S. This decision comes almost three years after health groups and activists filed a petition to end the use of Red 3, also known as erythrosine, due to its link to cancer and behavioral problems among children.

“This action by the FDA has been a long time coming,” says Laurie Beyranevand, director of the Center for Agriculture and Food Systems at Vermont Law and Graduate School. “Advocates have pressed the agency for years to revoke certification of Red No. 3 due to concerns over the risk of cancer, particularly when it is used in so many food products marketed directly to children and manufacturers have safer alternatives available to them.”

Why Do Foods Contain Color Additives?

According to the FDA, Red Dye 3 is primarily added into foods like candy, cakes and cupcakes, cookies, frozen desserts, and frostings and icings, as well as certain ingested drugs, to give the product a bright, cherry-red color. Certified colors are usually synthetic dyes and pigments, and they’re required to undergo a chemical analysis and batch certification before they’re approved.

“Color additives serve a useful purpose in many products, making them attractive, appealing, appetizing, and informative,” an article on the Administration’s website reads.

Manufacturers that use Red No. 3 in their products have until January 15, 2027 to reformulate their products without the additive. Those who use it in drugs, such as cough syrup and gummy vitamins, have until January 18, 2028. Food imported into the U.S. will also need to follow the new regulations, according to the FDA.

The following foods are currently made with Red No. 3—however, it’s important to keep in mind that not every item included in this list always contains the color additive.

Foods That Have Red 3

• Candies such as Brach’s conversation hearts, Pez, Ring Pops, and cherry and strawberry-flavored gummies
• Certain brands and flavors of ice cream and popsicles
• Frosting found on cupcakes and other cakes
• Cookies with red sprinkles
• Some strawberry-flavored milk
• Processed snacks, such as Jell-O and Yogurt
• Medications and Vitamins
• Sodas
• Juices
• Yogurts
• Vegetarian meats
• Frozen casseroles
• Fruit cups
• Marshmallows

When shopping for food, you should read labels to see if Red No. 3 is present. It may be listed as:

• FD&C Red No. 3
• FD&C Red 3
• Red 3

“To make an even greater impact on cancer prevention, the public health community would be wise to pursue policies that support overall healthy diets based on cultural food traditions from around the world—diets filled with cancer-preventive foods like whole grains, fruit, vegetables, and beans and that are lower in red and processed meats,” says Kelly LeBlanc, vice president of nutrition programming at Oldways.

With the ban of Red No. 3, you can expect certain food products to come in a bit of a different hue than you’re used to, as companies are reformulating their items made with the additive—but the flavors you know and love won’t change.