Breaking News: FDA ban food dyes Red 3

Red food dye used in thousands of snacks and candies in America and could soon be pulled off the shelves as the FDA moves to act on health concerns.

Known as red 3 the dye creates a bright cherry-red colour in such products as Pez, Peeps and Dubble Bubble gum. It contains no nutritional benefits and has been associated with risks of cancer in animals and behavioural problems in children.

Such pressure leading to the FDA falling into action has been exerted for some time now. Red 3 has been banned in cosmetics since 1990 due to safety concerns, and therefore should not be used in food, say public health advocates.

Currently the state of California has banned this dye while the European Union has even more stringent bans on similar additives. It raises eyebrows on why the FDA releases substances like red 3 when similar substances are out there which are safe for use.

“Such chemical trick only helps to make food items more attractive particularly to children while at the same time concealing other risks”, said Frank Pallone, a congressman, recently in a letter to the FDA.

The FDA has recently responded to these issues with the clarification by Deputy Commissioner, Jim Jones that, a petition regarding revocation of the approval for red 3 has been considered, an action pending on further decision.

If the FDA is to ban red 3, its impact on the food industry would be significantly felt. Manufacturers of such products will have to find substitutes for the dye, which is used in approximately 3,000 articles.

The hope is that this is the beginning of the process to harmonizing the US food safety regulations with those of other nations.

During the holiday time when every other product is covered in red and people are heading to bakeries to buy treats, red 3 situates the emphasis back to public health essential and away from the superficial.