The FDA’s Red Dye No. 3 ban is sparking a wider push to eliminate artificial food dyes in the U.S. food supply.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — At the beginning of the year, the FDA banned Red Dye No. 3 due to growing concerns about its potential link to cancer. This decision has ignited a larger movement to remove all artificial food dyes from our food supply in the United States.
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Artificial colors are prevalent in many foods, especially those marketed towards children, such as cereals, brightly colored candies, and sodas. These dyes are used to make products more visually appealing, but offer no nutritional value.
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and the “Make America Healthy Again” movement have been at the forefront of the campaign to ban these dyes. According to NBC News, since the start of 2025, 20 states have introduced legislation aimed at reducing the use of food dyes and other additives.
The FDA began investigating the link between food dyes and hyperactivity in the 1970s but has consistently called for more research. Reports as recent as 2019 found no conclusive evidence of a connection between food dyes and hyperactivity.
Other countries have stricter regulations on food dyes, making it increasingly difficult for U.S. food companies to justify their use. As the movement to eliminate artificial dyes gains momentum, it may become harder for these companies to defend the inclusion of dyes that provide no nutritional benefit.
