Red Dye No. 3 is getting banned—but is it enough?

I’m always warning you about the dangers of our food supply.

The truth is, many popular food items contain hidden dangers—ingredients that quietly sabotage your health.

(That’s why you’ll never see me shop the center aisles of a grocery store—or buy anything with an unpronounceable ingredient list.)

But here’s a sliver of good news…

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is finally banning the use of Red Dye No. 3—the commonly used food dye that gives cherry-flavored items their bright pop of color.

Concerning cancer connection

The FDA typically takes a “hands-off” approach when it comes to the things we eat. But you and I know this is a glaring oversight.

After all, that’s how countless, potentially toxic ingredients flood our food supply in the first place—even when they’re banned in other countries!

And when it comes to artificial dyes, the writing is on the wall.

Food manufacturers use them in nearly everything—candy, sports drinks, pickles, salad dressing… the list goes on.

And research has been investigating their connection to everything from cancer to attention-deficit and hyperactivity in children.

Well, the evidence finally stacked up against Red Dye No. 3, particularly—as research links ingestion to cancer in animals.

As a result, food manufacturers have until 2027 to rid their formulations of Red Dye No. 3.

But in my view, that’s still not enough.

An easy way to clean up your diet

Most artificial food dyes today are made from petroleum—the crude oil used in gasoline, plastics, solvents, and tires.

Yet, food manufacturers get the green light to add them to our food… just to make their processed concoctions look more appealing. Tell me, where is the logic?!

Plus, Red Dye No. 3 isn’t the only offender. Other popular dyes saturating our food supply include:

  • Red Dye No. 40
  • Yellow Dye No. 5
  • Yellow Dye No. 6
  • Blue Dye No. 1
  • Blue Dye No. 2

So, heed my warning: Be vigilant and check the ingredients list for these dyes. (Mark my words—research will eventually tie these chemicals to serious health risks.)

Or you can do what I do and stick to foods (and drinks) with ONE ingredient, which is much simpler than it seems.

Stick to the perimeter of your grocery store, choosing grass-fed and -finished meats, organic poultry, and seasonal produce. Add some healthy fats from nuts, seeds, eggs, and dairy—and go about your way.

And if you’re really craving some junk food, why not make a healthier version at home—using fresh ingredients without preservatives or food dye? (You can find countless recipes on the internet to help you satisfy those cravings.)

For more insight about how to avoid food dyes and other hidden ingredients in our food supply, check out the January 2025 issue of my monthly newsletter, Logical Health Alternatives (“Rethink your first grocery haul of 2025 for a healthier, happier year”). Click here to gain access to this life-changing content.

Source:

“FDA bans Red No. 3, artificial coloring used in beverages, candy and other foods.” NBC News, 01/15/2024. (nbcnews.com/health/health-news/fda-bans-red-no-3-artificial-coloring-beverages-candy-rcna185479)