Including Fd&c: Red #40 And Red #3

FD&C Red #40 (Allura Red AC) and FD&C Red #3 (Erythrosine) are synthetic food color additives. They are manufactured from petroleum-based raw materials through chemical synthesis and are used to give foods a red color.

Manufacturers add these dyes to enhance the visual appeal of food products by providing a vibrant red color. They are commonly found in candies, beverages, baked goods, desserts, and processed foods. Their primary function is to make food more attractive to consumers.

Both FD&C Red #40 and FD&C Red #3 have been approved by the FDA as food additives. However, the FDA revoked Red #3 for food use in January 2025, with manufacturers having until January 2027 to comply; this revocation was due to findings of cancer in male rats, as per the Delaney Clause, though the FDA stated this is not relevant to human risk. California's Food Safety Act bans Red #3 from 2027. In April 2025, the FDA announced a plan to phase out petroleum-based synthetic dyes, including Red #40. Some studies have suggested a possible link between synthetic food dyes, including Red #40, and hyperactivity in some children, but the FDA states that the evidence does not establish a causal link. JECFA and EFSA have evaluated these dyes and set acceptable daily intakes.