The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced plans to ban Red Dye 3, also known as FD&C Red No. 3 or erythrosine, from food products. This decision comes after decades of concerns about the potential health risks associated with this artificial food coloring.
The dye, a petroleum-based additive, has been used to give candy, soda and other products their vibrant cherry red hue. Consumer advocates said the F.D.A.’s decision to revoke the authorization was long overdue, given the agency’s decision in 1990 to ban the chemical for use in cosmetics and topical drugs.Under federal rules, the F.D.A. is prohibited from approving food additives that cause cancer in humans or animals.“This is wonderful news and long overdue,” said Melanie Benesh, vice president for government affairs at the Environmental Working Group, one of several organizations that petitioned the agency to take action on the additive. “Red Dye 3 is the lowest of the low-hanging fruit when it comes to toxic food dyes that the F.D.A. should be addressing.”
Red Dye 3 has been associated with several health concerns based on animal studies.
“The FDA is taking action that will remove the authorization for the use of FD&C Red No. 3 in food and ingested drugs,” said Jim Jones, the FDA’s deputy commissioner for human foods, in a statement.”Evidence shows cancer in laboratory male rats exposed to high levels of FD&C Red No.3,” he continued. “Importantly, the way that FD&C Red No. 3 causes cancer in male rats does not occur in humans.”
Behavior issues in children were also cited as a reason for the decision.
…{R]esearchers concluded artificial food colorings “are not a main cause of (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), but they may contribute significantly to some cases, and in some cases may additively push a youngster over the diagnostic threshold.”Then in 2021, the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment study found red dye No. 3 can make children vulnerable to behavioral issues, such as decreased attention. The report also concluded that federal levels for safe intake of food dyes at that time may not protect children’s brain health. The study noted that the current legal levels, set decades ago by the FDA, didn’t consider new research, according to the Environmental Working Group.The FDA’s decision “ends the regulatory paradox of Red 3,” said Dr. Thomas Galligan, principal scientist for food additives and supplements at the Center for Science in the Public Interest in Washington, DC. But the agency “has a long way to go to reform the broken system that allowed Red 3 to remain in foods decades after it was shown to cause cancer when eaten by animals.”
This is an intriguing development, given that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is poised to take over as head of the Department of Health and Human Services.
When Kennedy reviewed the ingredient differences between Canadian and American Froot Loops, The New York Times beclowned itself by saying:
He was wrong on the ingredient count, they are roughly the same. But the Canadian version does have natural colorings made from blueberries and carrots while the U.S. product contains red dye 40, yellow 5 and blue 1 as well as Butylated hydroxytoluene, or BHT, a lab-made chemical that is used “for freshness,” according to the ingredient label.
As it turns out, the dyes were the difference Kennedy endeavored to point out.
This is an exceedingly interesting move, in light of the upcoming confirmation hearing for Kennedy. One might even call it “The Kennedy Effect”.
If the recent hearings are any indication, be prepared for fireworks and flaming responses.
It is also worthwhile noting that over $1 million has been directed at efforts to ensure Kennedy does not get confirmed.
The efforts of the Stop RFK War Room — helmed by the group Protect Our Care — have included lobbying, grassroots advocacy urging Americans to contact their senators, paid advertising in Washington and in the states of key senators and a report on Kennedy’s anti-vaccine rhetoric that was hand delivered to Senate offices.Protect Our Care is “fiscally sponsored” by dark money group Sixteen Thirty Fund, a progressive organization that doesn’t disclose its donors. It had more than $180 million in revenue in 2023, according to its tax filings, and has reportedly received contributions from labor unions, environmental groups and Democratic superdonors including George Soros.Other progressive groups are joining the campaign to stop Kennedy. 314 Action, a group that supports Democratic scientists running for office, convened Democrats in Congress who are doctors or nurses last week to urge senators to block Kennedy — and has spent six figures on advertising with the same message, according to a spokesperson.
However, the MAHA part of the Trump Coalition is thrilled.
Make America Healthy Again, indeed. This may be a good start, as well as a good sign.
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