A bright red drink with a lemon and a stainless steel straw. The petroleum-based dye known as Red No. 3 is found in candies, snacks, and juice drinks, among other foods and drinks.
Naomi Rahim/Getty Images
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Naomi Rahim/Getty Images
A bright red drink with a lemon and a stainless steel straw. The petroleum-based dye known as Red No. 3 is found in candies, snacks, and juice drinks, among other foods and drinks.
Naomi Rahim/Getty Images
On Wednesday, the Food and Drug Administration announced it was banning Red No. 3, a food coloring additive, in many processed foods, such as soda, candy and snacks. Recently, this and other dyes have been linked to behavioral problems in children.
But high levels of Red No. 3 were linked to cancer in rats decades ago. So why is the ban being enforced now?
Maria Godoy, editor-in-chief and correspondent for the scientific office, answers our questions about Red No. 3 and other dyes that could replace it. Additionally, should parents be concerned about giving their children products that may contain Red No. 3 before the ban takes effect?
Questions, story ideas, or would you like us to delve into another food science issue? Send us an email at shortwaves@npr.org — we would love to hear from you!
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This episode was produced by Hannah Chinn, edited by Jane Greenhalgh and Berly McCoy, and fact-checked by Tyler Jones. The sound engineer was Kwesi Lee.