Pallone Applauds FDA Ban on Red Dye 3 in Food Products

Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) released the following statement applauding the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for moving to finally ban the use of Red Dye 3 in products the agency regulates, including food.

“Today is a great day for parents across the country. Red Dye 3 is a known animal carcinogen and has been shown to have long-lasting neurobehavioral effects on children. Moreover, it’s been banned for use in cosmetic products for over 30 years. Simply put, this chemical certainly has no place in products that are on grocery store shelves. I applaud FDA for doing the right thing by protecting kids and ensuring Red Dye 3 will no longer be used in our food.”

Red Dye 3, chemically known as Erythrosine, is a colorant that has been on the market as an authorized food dye under FDA’s purview despite the agency banning its use in other products over 30 years ago. Today, FDA announced it will no longer allow for the use of Red Dye 3 as a food additive in all commercially available food products and in ingested drugs.

In December, Pallone wrote to FDA urging the agency to take swift action to ban Red Dye 3. Earlier this month, he joined Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) to again urge the agency to use its authority to ensure Red Dye 3 is no longer used in food products.

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