US Health Authorities Ban Red Food Dye Over Cancer Risk Concerns

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has banned Red Dye No. 3, also known as Red 3, a synthetic food coloring used in nearly 3,000 products in the United States. This decision follows a petition filed by 24 food safety and health advocates in November 2022, citing studies that linked the dye to cancer in lab rats. The FDA has stated that this ban is a matter of law, indicating that the agency is acting in accordance with existing regulations rather than making a discretionary decision. The exact implications of this ban are still unclear, but it suggests a shift in regulatory policy towards prioritizing animal and human health over industry interests.