PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Do you still have candy hearts from Valentine's Day that say "I love you"? Odds are, red dye No. 3 was used in the manufacturing process.
It can be found in everything from strawberry yogurt to gummy vitamins. Red dye No. 3 has been around since the early 1900s. The compound is called erythrosine.
However, studies in rats have shown large doses can cause thyroid tumors. This has not been seen in humans, but FDA rules do not allow any artificial coloring that causes cancer in animals or humans.
This is why red dye No. 3 has been banned, though the actual ban goes into effect in January 2027.
There is already a replacement for red dye No. 3: red dye No. 40. This artificial coloring does not have the same impact on rats.
Get more medical reports from Dr. Brian McDonough.
KYW Newsradio's Medical Reports are sponsored by Independence Blue Cross.





