The Banning of Red No. 3
It’s about time.
Red No. 3, also known as erythrosine, is a synthetic dye used in food and medications to give a bright red or pink color. It is made from petroleum. In the U.S., it has been used in products like candies, baked goods, frostings, and maraschino cherries.
Red No. 3 was banned by the FDA for use in cosmetics and external drugs in 1990, due to studies linking it to cancer in lab animals. Despite this, it has been used in food and oral medications because regulators argued that the exposure levels in these products are significantly lower than in cosmetics. 
Until now.
Food manufacturers will have until January 2027 to remove the dye from their products, while makers of ingested drugs have until January 2028 to do the same. Some food manufacturers have already reformulated products to remove Red 3.
Many other countries, including Japan, Australia, New Zealand and countries in the European Union, have either already banned or restricted the use of Red No. 3 in food. Lawmakers in Tennessee, Arkansas and Indiana have filed proposals to limit certain dyes, particularly from foods offered in public schools.
Several studies have found that food dyes increase hyperactivity in children with and without ADHD, although some children seem to be more sensitive than others. Some artificial dyes, like Yellow No. 5, have been reported to cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals, including hives and asthma-like symptoms.
This led to the European Union requiring warning labels on foods containing certain dyes, such as Yellow No. 5 and Red No. 40.
Some foods containing Red No. 3 are candy corn, PEZ, Jelly Belly candies, Conversation Heart candies, toaster pastries, strawberry-flavored milk, some gummy vitamins, certain canned fruit varieties, some cough syrups. Check your labels.
Many manufacturers have started offering naturally colored products using ingredients like beet juice, turmeric, spirulina, and paprika, which don’t carry the same health concerns as artificial dyes. 
UNREAL makes candy and snacks that are lower in sugar and free from artificial ingredients. Options include chocolate covered nuts, chocolate covered pretzels, chocolate coconut bars, peanut butter cups, chocolate covered gems.
I’ve seen this line of snacks at Whole Foods, Meijer, online, so you can probably find some of these items at your favorite store. Since most of us enjoy a treat on occasion, it’s nice to find a brand that tastes good and is a little bit healthier.
Much love,
Health Coach Carol
“Don’t eat anything your great-grandmother wouldn’t recognize as food.” – Michael Pollan