Following last week’s FDA announcement banning the synthetic food dye FD&C Red No. 3, Salon has detailed which products will be affected by the change. The ban, effective January 15, 2027, for food products and January 18, 2028, for ingested drugs, comes after decades of concerns about the dye’s safety.

“We’re revoking the authorization for the use of FD&C Red No. 3 based on the Delaney Clause,” the FDA stated, referring to a 1960 amendment prohibiting additives found to cause cancer in humans or animals.

Related Story: FDA Bans Red Dye No. 3 From Foods

Candy and Baked Goods Affected

The ban affects products across multiple food and drug categories. Here’s what consumers need to know:

In the candy aisle, several popular treats will need new formulations. Pez Candy, Dubble Bubble gum, Brach’s Candy Corn, and certain Jelly Belly candies currently contain the dye.

Sweet baked goods are another affected category. Products like Entenmann’s Little Bites Party Cake Mini Muffins and Betty Crocker Red Decorating Icing will require changes to their ingredients.

The dairy section will see changes too. TruMoo Strawberry Whole Milk and various strawberry-flavored ice creams currently use Red No. 3.

In beverages, while many popular drinks like Hawaiian Punch and Kool-Aid use the permitted Red 40, others must reformulate. Ensure Original Strawberry Nutrition Shake and Yoo-hoo Strawberry Drink are among those affected.

Impact on Medical and Supplement Industry

The medical and supplement industry faces similar challenges, with products like PediaSure Grow & Gain Kids’ Ready-to-Drink Strawberry Shake requiring new formulations.

The FDA clarified, “Consumers could see FD&C Red No. 3 as an ingredient in a food or drug product on the market past the effective date in the order if that product was manufactured before the effective date.”

This move comes after a 2022 petition by food safety advocates highlighted cancer risks in laboratory rats exposed to high levels of the dye. While studies in other animals and humans didn’t show the same effect, the FDA deemed the potential risk significant enough to warrant action.

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