The US Food and Drug Administration announced this month that it's effectively banning Red No. 3, the controversial artificial red dye found in food and drinks that's been linked to cancer. The decision comes 30 years after scientists first discovered links between the dye and thyroid cancer in animals.

For decades, FD&C Red No. 3 has added its vivid cherry-red hue to candies and cupcakes—but its risks have been debated just as long.

In a bombshell announcement made last week, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said it will ban the use of FD&C Red No. 3, a synthetic food dye, from the nation’s food supply. The latest initiative comes more than three decades after the colorant was barred from cosmetics and non-oral medications due to potentially causing cancer.

Yellow No. 5 is commonly used in brightly colored soda and candy, often to make them appear fresher and more appetizing. Yellow No. 6, which is also used in candy, may appear in salad dressings, pickles, smoked salmon and some medications, according to Healthline.

For consumers, the ban on Red No. 3 represents a small victory for public health and safety. It shows that the FDA is actively engaged in protecting the American food supply from harmful additives. As more studies emerge and consumer advocacy grows, we may see additional changes in how artificial dyes are used.

T he U.S. Food and Drug Administration has banned the use of red dye No. 3 in foods, more than three decades after researchers discovered its link to cancer in rodents and to worsened attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder and other behavioral symptoms. The dye is already banned from foods in the European Union, New Zealand and Australia.

The FDA's ban on Red Dye Number 3, set to take effect in January 2027, raises health concerns among local doctors who recommend reducing artificial food dyes to improve children's health and behavior.