A red food dye ubiquitous in American drinks, snacks, candy and cereal could finally be banned by the federal government after years of concerns that it could have harmful health effects, particularly in children.

The federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has said it may soon crack down on the additive known as “Red 3,” which is derived from petroleum and gives a range of foods a cherry-red color.

“With Red 3, we have a petition before us to revoke the regulatory authority, and we hope to act on that petition in the next few weeks,” Jim Jones, FDA deputy commissioner for food, said a U.S. health panel on Thursday -Senate.

According to a database from an environmental health group, Red 3 is used in nearly 3,000 foods, including Pez, Peeps, Betty Crocker’s products and Dubble Bubble gum. Like other food dyes, it adds no nutritional value and is instead used to add color to foods for marketing purposes.

While the FDA stated that this food coloring, like other approved additives, is safe to consume when used correctly, Red 3 has been shown to be carcinogenic in animals and has been banned for use in cosmetics since 1990. Health groups have also linked it to behavioral problems in children.

Pressure is now growing on the FDA to ban the food coloring, along with others that routinely carry warning labels or are banned in the European Union – but are freely permitted in the United States.

Last year, California banned four food dyes, including Red 3. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Donald Trump’s choice to be the next health secretary during his second presidency, has linked such food dyes to cancer and criticized the FDA for allowing certain substances in foods .

“There is simply no reason for this chemical to be in our food other than to tempt and mislead consumers into changing the color of their food to make it look more appealing,” said Frank Pallone, a Democrat, who is a ranking member of the US House of Representatives Energy Committee, recently wrote to the FDA about Red 3.

“With the holiday season in full swing and sweet treats abound, it is frightening that this chemical remains hidden in the foods we and our children eat.”