Denver health experts and parents back the FDA's decision to ban Red 3.

 

Updated on: January 16, 2025 / 7:24 AM MST /

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has revoked Red 3's approval for use in food products, citing concerns over its cancer-causing effects in laboratory animals. This move follows the dye’s ban in cosmetics, such as lipstick, 35 years ago. Health professionals and parents in Colorado are supporting the FDA's decision.

Red 3, a synthetic dye, is used to give foods and beverages a vibrant red color and has been associated with cancer risks since the 1990s. Jessica Gillen, a Thornton resident, turned her lifelong passion for baking into a business, Perfectly Sweet Cookies, over the past three years.

"I've loved baking since I was a teenager," said Gillen.

Like many bakers, Gillen has used artificial dyes, including Red 3, in her treats like candies, desserts, and sprinkles. "It’s a topic that's been discussed regarding its safety for human consumption," said Shireen Banerji, Managing Director and Clinical Toxicologist at Rocky Mountain Poison and Drug Safety.

On Wednesday, the FDA announced it would ban Red 3 from store shelves following animal studies linking the dye to cancer. However, Banerji pointed out, "While animal studies suggest a potential cancer risk in male rats, no such connection has been found in humans."

Manufacturers have until January 2027 to reformulate food products containing Red 3, and until January 2028 for drugs containing the dye. In the interim, Banerji assures that these products can still be consumed in moderation.

"People have been consuming these products for decades. If you're giving them to your child daily, maybe reduce it to once a week, or you could discard them if you prefer," she advised.

For bakers like Gillen, the ban is an opportunity to move away from artificial dyes in her business. "We're excited about it," she said.

Gillen is already working with her family to eliminate artificial dyes from their diet and is eager to tackle the challenge of finding new ways to color her icing. "Now I have to relearn how to color my icing," she said. "It’s a learning curve."