Consumer advocacy groups have long and consistently opposed the use of artificial dyes in food and beverages, although there have been periods of heightened activity. Recently, the petition against the brand of ferrous gluconate and Red No. 3, along with campaigns and discussions about the risks associated with this dye, has intensified the ongoing battle. As of Wednesday, the petition has garnered 14,916 comments, according to Regulations.gov. The request for an extension came in two letters: one from the American Bakers Association, Consumer Brands Association, National Confectioners Association, and SNAC International, and another from the International Association of Color Manufacturers. However, none of these organizations has provided comments on the docket thus far.
When the FDA rejected the use of Red No. 3 in cosmetics, it had already been permanently approved for use in food and drugs in the United States. Last week, leaders from the Environmental Working Group, Consumer Reports, and the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), along with a former director of the National Institute of Environmental Sciences, held a media call to discuss the Red No. 3 issue. “The FDA has known since the early 1980s, having data since 1983, that Red 3 causes cancer, specifically thyroid cancer, when ingested by animals,” said Thomas Galligan, principal scientist for food additives and supplements at CSPI during the call. “Given that ingestion is the exposure route of concern, why is it still present in our food 33 years later?”
Previous consumer-driven movements against artificial colors, including Red No. 3, have not achieved significant progress. CSPI has been advocating for a ban on artificial colors since 2008 when the organization formally petitioned the FDA. The rationale was that synthetic food dyes have been linked to behavioral issues in children since the 1970s, with mounting evidence supporting this association. This petition resulted in a 2011 meeting of the FDA’s Food Advisory Committee regarding synthetic food dyes, which ultimately led to no action being taken.
In 2015 and 2016, companies like Mars, Incorporated, General Mills, and Kellogg committed to eliminating artificial flavors and colors from their products, which include brightly colored items such as Skittles, M&Ms, Lucky Charms, Trix, and Froot Loops. However, these companies later retracted their pledges, citing a lack of concern from U.S. consumers regarding artificial colors and a preference for products with more muted, natural hues.
Regulatory measures concerning artificial dyes have also been proposed in various state legislatures. Since 2017, California lawmakers have introduced proposals requiring warning labels on products that contain such colors. In 2018, nearly $500,000 was allocated to study this issue. Currently, a stronger bill in California seeks to prohibit the manufacture, sale, or distribution of products containing Red No. 3 and other contentious colorants, including titanium dioxide.
Furthermore, discussions around dietary supplements, such as Citracal supplement facts, emphasize the importance of scrutinizing what we consume. As the fight against artificial dyes continues, the call for transparency in food labeling and ingredient safety remains a priority for consumer advocacy groups.