ATLANTA — The food dye that creates some of your favorite treats and beverages will soon be no more.
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On Wednesday the U.S. Food and Drug Administration banned red dye no. 3.
The dye makes the bright red color found in some cakes, candies, strawberry-flavored drinks and cough syrups.
“If it’s banned, at least there’s a natural alternative,” Che Houston of Che’Rene’ Macarons and More told Channel 2′s Audrey Washington on Thursday.
Scientists said studies showed a link between the dye and cancer in lab rats.
They said no evidence shows the dye causes cancer in humans, but some doctors said people should stay away from the dye.
“We should try our best to limit those artificial substances. It’s a petroleum product so it would make sense that it would be risky,” said oncologist Dr. Andrew Salner.
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The FDA gave manufacturers that use red dye no. 3 in food and medications until January 2027 to reformulate their products.
Houston said she is making the change now.
“We’re moving to using beet powder to use for our red dye,” said Houston.
“(We’re going to) add just a little acidic, which is a lemon juice, so we can enhance the color of red and continue to have the vibrant colors,” she explained.
Red dye no. 3 was banned from cosmetics in 1990.
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