The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has banned the artificial food dye Red 3, also known as erythrosine, from the nation’s food supply due to studies showing it causes cancer in lab rats. The ban is part of a broader effort to regulate synthetic colors widely used in foods.
Nine artificial color additives, including Red 3, Blue 1, and Yellow 5, are currently allowed in US food products. However, some experts and consumer advocates have long raised concerns about the safety of these dyes, citing potential links to behavioral problems in children, such as hyperactivity and impulsivity.
The FDA has certified synthetic color additives but acknowledges that artificial colors may contribute significantly to some cases of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The agency’s scientists believe most children suffer no adverse effects from consuming synthetic dyes.
As the debate over artificial food colors continues, momentum is building for their removal. Several states are considering bills to ban synthetic dyes in foods, and high-profile figures like US Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. have campaigned on issues related to artificial ingredients in food.
For consumers looking to avoid synthetic dyes, reading ingredient labels remains the best way forward. Experts recommend being cautious when purchasing products with long lists of unpronounceable ingredients and opting for natural color alternatives instead.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/synthetic-dyes-red-3-artificial-colors-ef5af10b3aca66d0033d3f239546f1aa