Food Dye Red No. 3 is Banned: What does this mean for YOU!

Early in 2025, news officially broke that the US was finally banning food dye Red No. 3. Now, you may be wondering how this impacts you as a baker and decorator. Let me break it down for you!

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) officially banned food dye Red No. 3 in January 2025. Red No. 3 is an additive used to give food and drinks a distinctive bright and brilliant cherry red color. It can also be found in medications and supplements. This additive, also known as erythrosine, is made from petroleum and has been in use in the US since 1907.

The banning of Red No. 3 happened as an amendment to the current food additive regulations. This ban is in response to a petition filed in 2022 by those who claimed that this particular food dye caused cancer and behavioral issues such as hyperactivity in children. However, the ban is not immediate. Manufacturers will have until January 15, 2027, to completely reformulate their products to eliminate Red No. 3.

Currently, Red No. 3 can be found in candies, cakes, cupcakes, other frozen desserts, frostings, and icings. So, it's really important to read the ingredient labels on anything you're using!

Interestingly enough, Red Number Three was officially banned for use in cosmetics in 1990. However, the additive remained in foods until this year. The banning of Red No. 3 in 1990 from cosmetics was due to evidence that in high doses, the additive can cause cancer in animals. Although there isn't any evidence that with those high doses, it could cause cancer in humans.

In the US, the banning of Red No. 3 has been happening over the last few years on a state-by-state level. For example, in 2023, California officially banned the manufacture, sale, and distribution of any products containing Red No. 3. Since that time, other states such as Illinois and New York have taken similar measures. For my viewers overseas, it's important to note that Red No. 3 is officially banned in the European Union, Australia, and New Zealand.

The most important thing to do at this point is to check your labels. Red No. 3 can appear a few different ways on the labels. Verbiage you may see includes FD&C Red No. 3, FD&C Red 3, and simply Red 3. Because US officials are taking a closer look at artificial food dyes, there are a couple of colors that are potentially on the chopping block as well. Those two colors are Red #40 and Yellow #5. Like Red No. 3, both of these food colors are made from petroleum.

What does this mean for bakers and decorators? Red Number Three is used quite commonly in frostings and icings, cakes, cupcakes, frozen desserts, and candies. It's almost impossible not to encounter Red Number Three when consuming these items, but you do have some control over whether you use products containing Red No. 3 moving forward due to the recent ban.

Although the ban does not officially go into effect for food and drink until January 15, 2027, when manufacturers have the deadline to reformulate their products, it's up to you as a baker and decorator to make the best decisions for your family, friends, and anyone you are doing orders for, whether you're a home baker or a professional!