A widely utilized artificial food dye might soon face a ban in the United States. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is taking steps to outlaw an artificial food coloring known as Red No. 3, also referred to as Erythrosine. This synthetic dye, which is derived from petroleum, serves as a color additive in both food and ingested drugs, imparting a "bright cherry-red color" to them, as stated in an online statement from the FDA.

FDA's Potential Ban of Red Food Dye: A Health Concern

Background on Red No. 3

Red No. 3 has been a subject of concern due to its potential health risks. Previous research has raised alarms about the possible adverse effects associated with all nine of the food dyes approved in the U.S. Specifically, Red No. 3 has been shown to cause cancer in animal studies. It has also been linked to an increase in childhood behavioral issues. This has led to calls for its removal from the food supply.There are nearly 3,000 foods that are shown to contain Red No. 3, according to Food Scores, a database compiled by the Environmental Working Group. This highlights the widespread use of this dye in various food products.

FDA's Actions and Reasons

The FDA is currently in the process of reviewing a petition that cites the Delaney Clause. This clause states that the agency cannot classify a color additive as safe if it has been found to induce cancer in humans or animals. Jim Jones, the FDA's deputy commissioner for human foods, informed a U.S. Senate health committee on Thursday that they have a petition in front of them to revoke the authorization board and are hopeful of taking action on it in the next few weeks.According to Dr. Marc Siegel, clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Health and Fox News' senior medical analyst, the FDA is making this move now because they know that the ban on Red No. 3 is going to happen one way or another. They want to take proactive measures and remove it from the food supply.

International Perspective

Red No. 3 has already been banned in the European Union, the U.K., and most of Asia and Australia. This shows that there is a growing global consensus about the potential dangers of this dye. Dr. Siegel pointed out that if it is not allowed on the skin in skin products since the 1990s, it raises questions about why it is still allowed in food.

Call for Post-Market Analysis

Siegel criticized the FDA for not conducting enough post-market analysis. He believes that they should be studying the effects of these food dyes more thoroughly after they are already on the market. Currently, the FDA has stated that they cannot prove that these food dyes cause conditions like ADHD, but there are 26 studies that seem to suggest a link.In conclusion, the potential ban of Red No. 3 by the FDA is a significant development in the realm of food safety. It highlights the need for more rigorous research and monitoring of food additives to protect public health. For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health.