Red dye no. 3 is going away. The Food and Drug Administration will stop allowing its use in food in January 2027.

“So when I heard about red dye no. 3 being banned by the FDA, it kind of was a hooray for me,” said Kelly Springer, a registered dietician who sees the recent ban by the federal government as a positive.

“I think we're going to start looking at our full food supply as a whole and seeing all the different chemicals that may be involved in our food supply. And because of consumers speaking up and saying, 'Wait a minute, why are we having higher cancer rates? Or why are we having more food sensitivities? Why are we having more autoimmune issues? We're starting to look at what we're putting inside of our bodies,” said Springer.

What You Need To Know

  • Red dye 3 will be banned form foods in the U.S. in January 2027 

  • January 2028 will be the deadline to remove red dye 3 from medicine

  • Food labels with USDA Organic means the food doesn't have artificial dyes

Some, like parent Shannon Hodson, have already worked to cut artificial dyes out of their diet.

“There are a lot of scientists out there who have published articles explaining that any sort of food dye is bad for children who are either on the autism spectrum or ADHD,” said Hodson.

She took artificial dyes out of her daughter’s diet 10 years ago at age 3.

“Now, she's 13. She has a little bit of peer pressure going on. She loves her Sour Patch Kids when she can get her hands on them. So, I can tell whenever she's on them. She becomes more emotionally charged and just a little dysregulated,” said Hodson.

Food manufacturers have two years to eliminate red dye 3.

“The foods that you see on the shelf right now may still contain red dye no. 3. And in small amounts, it has proven to be safe,” said Springer.

When in doubt, check the label. And if it says USDA Organic, you can be assured that food has no artificial dyes. Foods will no longer be allowed to contain red dye 3 by January 2027, and drugs must remove the dye by January 2028.