Petroleum-Based Red Food Dye May Soon Be Banned In The US

A red food dye derived from petroleum, called Red 3 or E127, widely used in the US is facing a potential ban due to concerns about negative health impacts, especially in children. Despite being found to be carcinogenic in animals at high doses and linked to hyperactivity in children, it is still found in nearly 3,000 foods in the US. The FDA is reviewing a petition to ban the substance, which is already banned for use in cosmetics.

Red 3 is not the only artificial food dye of concern, as California has banned several other dyes in public schools due to concerns about behavior changes in children. In Europe, products containing certain dyes must carry a warning label about potential adverse effects on children's behavior. With the consumption of these dyes increasing over the years, concerns about their safety and health impacts continue to be raised, leading to calls for more restrictions and bans on their use.