The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) may move to ban artificial dye Red 3, otherwise known as erythrosine, from foods within the next few weeks.
Jim Jones, deputy commissioner for human foods at the agency, told a Senate meeting that the FDA is in the process of deciding a ban, in response to a petition.
“With Red 3, we have a petition in front of us to revoke the authorization board, and we’re hopeful that in the next few weeks we’ll be acting on that petition,” Jones said.
Red 3 is a colouring derived from petroleum that is widely used in foods and drinks, although it has been banned in cosmetics since 1990 after studies suggested it caused cancer in lab animals.
“There is simply no reason for this chemical to be in our food except to entice and mislead consumers by changing the color of their food so it looks more appealing,” said Rep. Frank Pallone in a statement, in response to the news.
“With the holiday season in full swing where sweet treats are abundant, it is frightening that this chemical remains hidden in these foods that we and our children are eating.”
Red 3 has been a target of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has been nominated as the next head of Health and Human Services by president-elect Trump.
Kennedy has vowed to clean up the food supply, the reform the system of food-additive regulation and ensure independence between regulators and industry.