colour

Red 3 (erythrosine)

Score

A synthetic dye the FDA de-authorized for food in January 2025 after thyroid tumours in rats.

Red 3 was removed from cosmetics in 1990 but stayed legal in food for another 35 years. The FDA revoked its food authorization in January 2025 under the Delaney Clause, which forbids any additive shown to cause cancer in animals. Manufacturers have until January 2027 to reformulate.

carcinogen animalbanned ussynthetic dye

Also appears on labels as

fd&c red no 3 · red no. 3 · erythrosine · e127

What this is based on

Regulator
FDA revokes authorization for the use of FD&C Red No. 3 in food and ingested drugs
U.S. Food and Drug Administration · 2025