American health chiefs this week banned Red Dye No. 3 in foods — amid growing fears the food colouring could cause cancer and trigger developmental problems in children.
The additive — which gives food and drinks a bright cherry-red color — was removed in 1990 by US regulators from use in cosmetics following a study that found high doses caused cancer in rats.
But it continued to be added to a raft of products including cakes, breakfast cereals, drinks and even bacon-flavoured sprinkles and some medicines.
Announcing the move US regulator the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said it was taking the action as a ‘matter of law’, however played down the risks stating there was no conclusive proof the dye causes cancer in humans.
It has given manufacturers until January 2027 to reformulate recipes to remove Red Dye No. 3.
The move comes more than three decades after the EU Scientific Committee for Food (SCF) recommended restricting use of the dye, also known as erythrosine or E127, in the UK and Europe.
It is, however, permitted for use ‘in specified amounts’ in specific products, including preserved cherries — also known as maraschino cherries — glace cherries, and products that contain them as ingredients.
It is also authorised for use in pet foods, medicines and toothpastes.
In the UK E127 is permitted for use ‘in specified amounts’ in specific products, including preserved cherries — also known as maraschino cherries — glace cherries, and products that contain them as ingredients
The alarm was first raised decades ago after researchers discovered that lab rats fed a four per cent erythrosine diet for three months went on to develop thyroid tumours.
In response, the FDA ordered that it was removed from shampoos, lipsticks and blushers, but said due to the risk being ‘small’ it could continue to be added to foods.
Studies have also shown children fed erythrosine developed hyperactive behaviour.
Experts have also previously warned that children may be particularly susceptible to smaller amounts of the chemical due to their lower bodyweight.
In 2011 SCF established an acceptable daily intake (ADI) of 0.1mg or less of erythrosine per kilogram of bodyweight per day — meaning a 70kg adult could safely consume 7mg.
In that guidance it also pointed out that the effect seen in rats was ‘of limited relevance to humans’ and cited two studies that involved giving human volunteers 200mg of erythrosine daily, for two weeks, as proof of safety.
Alan Boobis, Emeritus Professor of Toxicology at Imperial College London urged the public not to panic about the FDA ban.
‘Based on what we’ve seen so far, I don’t think people should worry to much about E127 in terms of cancer — what we saw in the rats will not occur in humans due to difference in the way the thyroid works,’ he said.
Although erythrosine is not used extensively, it can be found in a wide range of products on UK supermarket shelves. Pictured, Opies Cocktail Cherries (225g), sold for under £3
Pictured left, Nature’s Finest Fruit Cocktail in Juice (400g) and right, Del Monte Fruit Cocktail in Light Syrup (227g)
Pictured left, Del Monte Fruit Cocktail in Juice (415g) and right Epicure Fruit Cocktail in Fruit Juice (411g)
Studies have also shown children fed erythrosine developed hyperactive behaviour. Pictured, Dole Fruit Salad 4 Pack Fruit Snack (4 x 113g)
‘However there is an issue with some food colourings and behavioural problems in children, which could have been part of the reason use was limited back in the 90s.’
Although erythrosine is not used extensively in the UK, it can be found in a wide range of products on supermarket shelves.
Below are the foods and drinks that contain erythrosine/E127 currently:
Fruits
Opies Cocktail Cherries (225g)
Del Monte Fruit Cocktail in Juice (415g)
Del Monte Fruit Cocktail in Light Syrup (227g and 420g)
Nature’s Finest Fruit Cocktail in Juice (400g)
Epicure Fruit Cocktail in Fruit Juice (411g)
Dole Fruit Salad 4 Pack Fruit Snack (4 x 113g)
Experts have previously warned that children may be particularly susceptible to smaller amounts of the chemical due to their lower bodyweight. Pictured, Brace’s 4 Scones Cherry & Sultana
Pictured left, Irwin’s Together Fruit Loaf (400g) and right, Ashers Baking Co Cherry Scones
Baked goods
Brace’s 4 Scones Cherry & Sultana
Iceland The Daily Bakery 4 Cherry & Sultana Scones
Ashers Baking Co Cherry Scones
Irwin’s Together Fruit Loaf (400g)
Pictured left, Boots Max Strength Cold & Flu Relief Day and Night Capsules and right, Lemsip Max Day & Night Cold & Flu Relief Capsules
Pictured left, Lemsip Max Cold & Flu Capsules and right, Galpharm Max Strength Cold & Flu Capsules
Pictured, Galpharm Cold & Flu Day and Night Max Strength Capsules
Medicines & Toiletries
Boots Max Strength Cold & Flu Relief Day and Night Capsules
Galpharm Max Strength Cold & Flu Capsules
Galpharm Cold & Flu Day and Night Max Strength Capsules
Lemsip Max Day & Night Cold & Flu Relief Capsules
Lemsip Max Cold & Flu Capsules
Nizoral Anti-Dandruff Treatment (60ml & 100ml)
