Red dye 3 give food, drinks and milkshakes that bright red cherry color. It is made up of a synthetic color additive made from petroleum.

Red dye 3 has been approved for use in food since 1907, the FDA has been trying to a the use of dry for decades upon decades. In 1980 the agency first realized that the additive in the red dye #3 was possibly carcinogenic. They followed a study and it was found tumors in male rats who were exposed to a high doses. Now in 2025 on Wednesday the food and drug administration said that they were banning the use of red dye.

The dye is still used in beverages, foods, deserts, over thousands of materials and foods. If these are in use there are some chances that this may cause cancer and bad behavior in kids. This has been linked to cancer in animals. Red 3 is already banned in Australia,Europe, New Zealand except for certain types of cherries. The food manufacturers have until January of 2027 to reformulate their products. Some U.S. food manufacturers have already removed the artificial dye from their department.

10 states including California have already stared the ban in their products.