SAN ANTONIO – A food dye that gives candy and popular foods a bright cherry red color has been banned in the United States.

Food and Drug Administration officials banned the dye Red 3 from the country’s food supply on Wednesday because of its potential cancer risk.

At least two studies have shown that high levels of the food dye are linked to cancer in rats. However, there is no known link between the dye and cancer in humans, the FDA said.

Which foods contain red dye number 3?

The dye is found in thousands of consumer products, but is primarily used in foods such as candies, cakes, cupcakes, cookies, frozen desserts, frostings, icings, and some ingested medications.

Some foods include:

• The Original Crumbs Bakeshop Gourmet Cupcakes, Birthday Cake, Red Velvet

• Chestnut Hill Rainbow Sprinkles

• Various Mexican gummy candies from Payaso

• King’s Rainbow Sprinkle Cookies

• Angela Marie’s Crunchy Marshmallow Treats

• Weston Pink Curing Salt

Consumers can find out whether a product contains the dye by visiting the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s branded food database.

Popular foods with red dye, such as Doritos and Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, contain red dye #40. This synthetic food dye is used to give foods and candies a bright purple color.

Food manufacturers have until 2027 to reformulate their products without red dye No. 3.

The deadline for drug manufacturers will be 2028.

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