Hamilton, ON, Jan. 15, 2025 –The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is banning the use of a food dye that has previously been linked to cancer in animals.

According to the FDA, Red No. 3 is a synthetic food dye that gives foods and drinks a bright, cherry-red colour. The dye has been primarily used in certain food products, such as candy, baked goods, and frozen desserts, as well as certain drugs.

The food dye has not been banned in Canada.

Waliul Khan is a professor with McMaster University’s Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine. He is an expert on the use of food dyes and has studied how the use of specifics dyes can be a potential trigger of inflammatory bowel diseases.

He can be reached directly at: khanwal@mcmaster.ca.