5 foods that still contain red dye 3 — but won’t for long

A major change is coming to grocery store shelves: the FDA has ordered a ban on Red Dye No. 3, a synthetic coloring linked to cancer in lab animals. Food manufacturers have until January 2027 to remove it from foods—but for now, it’s still found in a surprising number of everyday products.

Here are five common foods and drinks that may still contain the soon-to-be-banned additive:

1. Candy Corn and Conversation Hearts

Classic seasonal candies like Brach’s Candy Corn and Conversation Hearts are among the most well-known products that use Red Dye 3 to achieve their bright colors.

2. Frostings and Decorating Icing

Bright red or pink frostings—such as certain decorating icings used for cakes and cookies—often rely on Red Dye 3 for their vibrant hue, especially in holiday-themed baked goods.

3. Maraschino Cherries

Those bright red cherries commonly used in cocktails and desserts are one of the most recognizable sources of Red Dye 3. Their vivid color often comes from the synthetic dye rather than the fruit itself.

4. Gummies, Gum, and Fruit Candies

Products like PEZ, jelly beans, bubble gum, and certain gummy candies may contain Red Dye 3, particularly in bright pink or cherry-flavored varieties.

5. Ice Cream and Frozen Treats

Strawberry or cotton candy–flavored ice creams, popsicles, and frozen desserts sometimes include the dye to create bold, eye-catching colors.

Is red dye #3 bad for you?

Red Dye 3 has drawn scrutiny largely due to animal studies showing it caused cancer in male rats exposed to high doses. Because of a federal law that prohibits additives linked to cancer in animals or humans, regulators moved to ban it.

However, scientists note that the mechanism causing cancer in rats does not appear to occur in humans, and current evidence has not confirmed a direct cancer risk in people. Some research has also suggested a possible link between synthetic food dyes and behavioral issues like hyperactivity in children, though findings remain mixed and continue to be debated.

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