From candies, jellybeans, ice pops, candy corns, strawberry milk, and ice cream to fruit juices, puddings, cakes, sausages, bacon bits, and even vegetarian meats, these all contain red dye number 3.

The controversial red dye number 3, also known as erythrosine, is a synthetic food dye that provides a bright red color.

It is occasionally used in ingested medicines and dietary supplements, and is petroleum-based.

On food labels, it's represented as FD&C Red 3 or Red 3, indicating that red dye number 3 was used in the food. The Food and Drug Administration in the United States (US FDA) banned its use in cosmetics and topical medications in 1990 after studies showed it caused tumors and led to thyroid cancer in rats heavily exposed to it.

This Wednesday, US time, the administration of US President Joe Biden announced that they are banning red dye number 3.

"FDA is revoking the authorized uses in food and ingested drugs of FD&C Red No 3 in the color additive regulations," according to a document from the Department of Health and Human Services in the United States.

The decision was triggered by a petition submitted in November 2022 by the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) and other advocacy groups using the "Delaney Clause", a provision of the law that prohibits the use of any food color additive that may cause cancer in humans or animals.

Several studies have also shown that red dye 3 is linked to hyperactivity or excessive restlessness in children.

With the ban on red dye 3, food and beverage manufacturers for commercial use have until 2027 to create new formulations for their products and remove the said food coloring.

Other synthetic dyes on the market also need to go through the US FDA before they can be approved for addition to food or beverages. These include:
Red 40, or Allura Red
Blue 1, or Brilliant Blue
Blue 2, or Indigo Carmine
Yellow 5, or Tartrazine
Yellow 6, or Sunset Yellow
Green 3, or Fast Green

Red 40 and yellow 5 are also linked to excessive restlessness or hyperactivity in children.

Meanwhile, here are alternatives to foods containing red dye number 3. Instead of fruit cocktail, consume real fruits, avoid artificially-colored drinks, opt for chocolate instead of colorful candies, chocolate milk instead of strawberry milk, and homemade snacks.