Red 3 (Erythrosine)

Last reviewed October 18, 2026 · Evidence strength: Limited · How we grade evidence

In plain words: Red 3 is a cherry-pink dye that's being removed from US food by January 2027. The reason is a US law that bans any color that causes cancer in animals. High doses caused thyroid tumors in male rats, through a process FDA says doesn't happen in people. It's sensible to skip it now, but foods you ate in the past aren't a cause for worry.

Also listed on labels as: FD&C Red No. 3, Erythrosine, E127, artificial color

What is it, and why is it in food?

Red 3, or erythrosine, is a synthetic dye that gives a bright cherry-pink color. It's been used in candy, decorating icing, canned fruit-cocktail cherries and some cookies and cakes.

What does the science say?

• Why it was banned: Studies found thyroid tumors in male rats fed high doses. US law (the Delaney Clause) bans any color additive shown to cause cancer in people or animals, no matter how it happens.¹
• Does it apply to people? FDA says the rat effect works through a hormone process specific to rats that "does not occur in humans," and that claims of human risk "are not supported" by current evidence.¹
• Behavior: Red 3 is also part of the general research on dyes and kids' behavior, which shows a small effect for dye mixes.²³

What do regulators say?

• US: FDA revoked Red 3 in January 2025. Food makers must stop using it by January 15, 2027, and ingested drugs by January 18, 2028.¹
• California separately bans food with Red 3 starting January 1, 2027.⁴
• Europe allows erythrosine (E127) only in a few narrow uses and doesn't allow it to be sold directly to consumers as a coloring.⁵

Who should be careful?

• No one needs medical follow-up for having eaten Red 3. It's simply a good one to skip as stores sell through old stock.

How common is it in US foods?

In our check of USDA's Branded Foods database, 9,189 of 439,966 US packaged foods with an ingredient list name Red 3 (about 2.1%, or roughly 1 in 48).⁶ It shows up most often in: candy (3,007); cookies & biscuits (1,581); baking decorations & dessert toppings (1,076); cakes, cupcakes, snack cakes (959); popcorn, peanuts, seeds & related snacks (378). Most of these label records are from before the ban was announced, and many products are being reformulated. These are label records companies sent to USDA, mostly in 2021 to 2023, so some products have changed since. Counts come from a text match of ingredient lists and are approximate.

Swaps and tips for families

• Check holiday candies, cookies with pink sprinkles and decorating icing, which are common Red 3 uses.
• Choose fruit cocktail and maraschino-style cherries labeled "no artificial colors."
• Beet juice and freeze-dried berry powder give a natural pink.

Beyond the plate: related non-food exposures

Red 3 is also used in some ingested medicines (these must remove it by January 18, 2028). It hasn't been allowed in cosmetics applied to the skin for decades. Check chewable and liquid medicines if you want to avoid it now.

Frequently asked questions

Why was Red 3 banned?

Because high doses caused thyroid tumors in male rats, and US law bans any color that causes cancer in animals. FDA says the rat effect doesn't happen in humans.

When does the Red 3 ban take effect?

Food makers must stop using it by January 15, 2027. Ingested medicines have until January 18, 2028. California's own ban also starts January 1, 2027.

I've eaten Red 3 for years. Should I be worried?

No. FDA says the evidence doesn't show a risk to people. Skipping it now is a simple choice, not an emergency.

Is Red 3 the same as Red 40?

No. They're different dyes. Red 40 is much more common and is still allowed, though it's part of the voluntary 2027 phase-out.

Related guides

• Red 40 (Allura Red)
• Potassium Bromate (Bromated Flour)
• Propylparaben
• Brominated Vegetable Oil (BVO)
• Food dyes and colors

Sources

Every source below was checked against PubMed, the publisher or the official page by our research team in October 2026.

1. FDA: FDA to Revoke Authorization for the Use of Red No. 3 in Food and Ingested Drugs (Jan 15 2025). Link
2. Food additives and hyperactive behaviour in 3-year-old and 8/9-year-old children in the community: a randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial. Lancet (London, England), 2007. PubMed 17825405 · doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(07)61306-3
3. Potential impacts of synthetic food dyes on activity and attention in children: a review of the human and animal evidence (California OEHHA). Environ Health, 2022. PubMed 35484553 · doi:10.1186/s12940-022-00849-9
4. California Health & Safety Code 109025 (AB 418, California Food Safety Act). Link
5. Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 on food additives, Annex V (colours that require the warning "may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children"). Official Journal of the European Union (consolidated text), 2008. Link
6. FoodData Central, Branded Foods dataset (release 2026-04-30). U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, 2026. Link
7. Meta-analysis of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms, restriction diet, and synthetic food color additives. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 2012. PubMed 22176942 · doi:10.1016/j.jaac.2011.10.015
8. HHS/FDA press release, April 22 2025. Link
9. FDA constituent update (Orange B). Link

This guide is for general education. It is not medical advice and does not replace advice from your doctor, pediatrician, allergist or registered dietitian. If you think you or your child reacted to a food, talk to a health professional. Research changes; we review these pages when new evidence or rules come out. Last reviewed October 18, 2026. Spotted an error? Email [email protected].