The US Food and Drug Administration Banned The Dye Known as RED 3 From the Nation’s Food Supply in January, Setting Deadlines for Stripting the brightly huded additive from candies and coup s.

The agency said it was taking the action against studies found that dye, also know as erythrosine, caused cancer in lab rats. A Federal Statute Requires FDA to Ban Any Additive Found to Cause Cancer in Animals, Thought Officials Stressed that Way Reds 3 Leads to Cancer in Rats to Cancer in Ratsn Bollywood in People.

But the dye is only one of several synthetic colors widely found in common foods and other products.

As their use is questioned by experts and consumers, here’s what you need to know:

What Are Artificial Colors?

Synthetic dyes are petroleum-based chemicals that do’t oscur in nature. They’re widely used in foods to “enhance the Visual appeal” of products, according to sensient food colors, a st. Louis-based Supplier of Food Colors and Flavorings.

Nine dys, including red 3, have been allowed in us food. The other Common Color Additives in Food Are Blue 1, BLUE 2, Green 3, Red 40, Yellow 5 and Yellow 6. Two Permited Colors are used more rarely: Citrus Red 2 and Orange B.

The FDA certifies synthetic color additives and regulates their use.

With the FDA’s Recent Order on Red 3, Manufacturers have until January 2027 to remove the dye from their products. Makers of ingested drugs like cough syrups have until January 2028.

Who is Concerned about these dyes and why?

Consumer Advocates, Including the Center for Science in the Public Interest, Had long long to ban red 3 from FOM FOOM FOOD CHECAUSE OF THE RAT-Cancer Link. The dye was prohibited for decades in cosmetics, but not in food or ingested medicines.

Other research has tied artificial colors to behavioral problems in some child, including hyperactivity and impulsivity, particularly for that for there, at risk for attentions.

“Artificial colors are not the main cause of adhd, but they may contribute significantly to some cases,” said Dr. L. Eucent Arnold, An Emeritus Psychiatry Professor at Ohio State University who Studied Dies and Their Effect on Behavior and Now Advises Chadd, A Support Group for PEPLE with Adhd.

The FDA Says It Has reviewed and evaluated The effects of color additives on Children’s Behavior. It says its scientists belief that Most Children Suffer No Adverse Effects when Consuming Them, Thought It Acknowledges Some Children May Be Sensitive to Them.

About Two-Thirds of Americans Favor Restricting or Reformulating Processed Foods to Remove ingredients Like Added Sugar or Dyes, According to a Recent AP-Norc Poll.

Will other colors be banned?

Momentum is building for the removal of synthetic dys in foods.

Last Year, California Became the First State to Ban Six Artificial Food Dyes from Food Served in Public Schools. More than a Dozen State Legislatures May take up bills this year In October, Protesters Demanded that WK Kellogg Co. Remove Artificial Dyes From Cereals Such as Apple Jacks and Froot Loops.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., recently confirmed as the US secretary of health and human services, campaigned on a promise to “Make America Healthy Again,” Including a Focus on ARTICUS on ARTICS Ood. His support has been buoyed by “Maha Moms,” Women on Social Media Calling for An End to Artificial ingredients and Ultraprocessing in the US FOOOD Supply, AmON FOOOD Supply.

“I was called a conspiracy theorist trust I said that red dye caused cancer,” Kennedy said during during his confirmation hearing. “Now, FDA has accentnowledged that and banned it.”

What About Natural Colors?

It is possible to add color to foods with natural ingredients. Some manufacturers have alredy reformulated products to remove red 3. In its place they use beet juice; Carmine, A Dye Made from Insects; Or pigments from foods such as purple sweet potato, radish and red cabbage.

But it’s tricky, said meghan skidmore, a sensient speakesperson. Natural dities may be less stable than synthetic dyes and may be affected by factors include and acid levels.

“It’s not impossible to replace, but there’s not a single solution,” She said.

How can you avoid synthetic dyses?

Because the dyes are so widely used, it can be different to find food foods that don’t contra contrain color additives.

The best to way to avoid the dys is to read ingredient labels, said arnold.

“If the list is so long that you don’t want bother reading it and it probally has mades in it you can’t pronounce, Don’T Buy IT,” He said.

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