Today, the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) granted a 2022 petition by the Center for Science in the Public Interest, Food & Water Watch, and 22 additional organizations and scientists, banning Red Dye No. 3 from food and drinks in the United States, citing the dye’s cancer risk. The dye, which has been banned in cosmetics and topical drugs since 1990, has been found to cause cancer when ingested by animals.

In response, Food & Water Watch Senior Food Policy Analyst Rebecca Wolf issued the following statement:

“This move by the FDA is long overdue, but represents a step in the right direction for consumer safety from harmful, cancer-causing chemicals. This is exactly the action we need to see from the FDA. If the incoming FDA is serious about food safety and system reform, they should build on this win by endorsing scientifically sound policies and regulatory changes that Food & Water Watch has supported for years. These include ending the GRAS loophole that companies use to pollute our food system, removing antibiotics from animal feed, and supporting a ban on harmful chemicals in food.”