Widely used artificial food dyes may soon be outlawed.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is moving to ban an artificial food coloring called Red No. 3, also known as erythrosin.
The synthetic dye, made from petroleum, is used as a coloring additive to give food and ingested medicines a “bright cherry red color,” according to an FDA online statement.
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“Regarding Red 3, we have a petition in front of us asking for the board's revocation and we look forward to acting on that petition in the coming weeks,” said FDA Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods. Jim Jones said. he told the U.S. Senate Health Committee on Thursday.
Dr. Mark Siegel joined “Fox & Friends” on Monday to discuss the FDA's possible ban on red food dye. (Fox News)
The petition the FDA is reviewing cites the Delaney Clause, which says that the FDA cannot classify color additives as safe if they are found to cause cancer in humans or animals, according to an FDA statement.
Dr. Mark Siegel, a professor of clinical medicine at New York University Langone Health and a senior medical analyst on Fox News, joins “Fox & Friends” to talk about food coloring, which he calls “horrible.” The possibility of a ban was discussed.
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“It's been banned for use in skin products since the 1990s,” Siegel noted. “So why isn't it allowed in skin products? It's something that shouldn't be put on the face, but it's safe for kids to eat.”
Red No. 3 is banned in the European Union, the United Kingdom, most of Asia and Australia, the doctor noted.
“They're ultimately going to take it out of food.”
“Why so late, and why now?” He blamed the move on “there's a new sheriff in town”: President-elect Donald Trump and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. he asked.
“And Jimmy Jones, head of FDA's food division, is currently responding to petitions from the public, consumers, and the House of Representatives,” Siegel continued.
The synthetic dye is made from petroleum and is used as a coloring additive to give food and ingested medications a “bright cherry red color,” according to an online statement from the FDA. (St. Petersburg)
“And ultimately you're going to take it out of your food.”
Siegel said the FDA is making this move now because “we know it's going to happen anyway, so we want to do it now.”
Potential health effects of Red No. 3
Previous research has raised concerns about potential health risks associated with all nine food colorings approved in the United States.
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Red No. 3 in particular has been shown to cause cancer in animal studies.
It has also been linked to an increase in behavioral problems in childhood.
“It's a shame that U.S. food products contain nine types of synthetic dyes.”
“They're looking at high doses for cancer, but they're also looking at ADHD (attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder),” Professor Siegel said.
“All of these food dyes could be involved in this. 26 studies seem to show that,” he continued.
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“It's a shame that U.S. food products contain nine types of synthetic dyes.”
Siegel said the FDA previously said it “cannot prove” that it causes these symptoms.
Nearly 3,000 foods have been shown to contain Red No. 3, according to FoodScore, a food database compiled by the Environmental Working Group. (St. Petersburg)
“For products that are already on the market, there hasn't been enough post-market analysis,” he said. “They haven't studied enough.”
Nearly 3,000 foods have been shown to contain Red No. 3, according to FoodScore, a food database compiled by the Environmental Working Group.
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The petition to remove Red No. 3 from foods, supplements and medicines was filed by the Center for Science in the Public Interest and 23 other organizations and scientists.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the FDA for comment.
