US FDA bans artificial food color Red No. 3 on links to cancer in rats

(Reuters) -The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday banned the use of Red No. 3, a synthetic food dye that gives some candies, cakes and oral medications a cherry-red color, following evidence that the dye causes cancer in laboratory rats.

"The FDA cannot authorize a food additive or color additive if it has been found to cause cancer in humans or animals. Evidence shows cancer in laboratory male rats exposed to high levels of FD&C Red No. 3. Importantly, the way that FD&C Red No. 3 causes cancer in male rats does not occur in humans," said Jim Jones, Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods.

The decision came in response to a 2022 petition requesting the FDA to review two studies and other evidence linking the dye to cancer in male laboratory rats.

"Food safety is the number one priority for U.S. confectionery companies, and we will continue to follow and comply with FDA’s guidance and safety standards," trade group National Confectioners Association said in a statement.

(Reporting by Bhanvi Satija and Mariam Sunny in Bengaluru; Editing by Tasim Zahid)