
The Banned On Red Dye #3: What Does This Mean For People In Louisiana
Well, y’all, I’ve got some news that’s got me downright upset. The FDA has gone and banned Red Dye No. 3, and let me tell you, this is hitting me right in my sweet tooth! From my favorite Valentine’s Day candies to those frosted circus animal cookies that take me straight back to childhood, it feels like they’re taking the color out of all the good stuff. And don’t even get me started on the ice cream and popsicles—what are we supposed to do without our cherry-red treats? This change is about to shake things up big time, and I’m not sure I’m ready for it!
Red Dye No. 3, a common food coloring that gives everything from icing to sweets and cookies to some drugs, has been banned by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). With Valentine's Day approaching, this decision, which was made public on Wednesday, may have a big effect on a lot of Louisiana's favorite items.
The FDA's decision to restrict Red Dye No. 3, which was outlawed in cosmetics more than 30 years ago, reflects long-standing worries about its safety. In order to comply with the new regulation, corporations have been granted up to three years to reformulate their products. According to data from the Environmental Working Group, one of the advocacy groups that lobbied for the ban, this move could impact more than 2,000 items that are already on the market.
People in Louisiana may have to say "goodbye" or "see you later" to some of their favorite customs and delights as a result of the ban. Perhaps the first candy to leave store shelves in its current form is Valentine's Day candy, which includes some of those classic heart-shaped candies. It will also be necessary to re-formulate baked items, frostings, and even some of the state's most widely used drugs.
The sweet craving is supreme in Louisiana, so candy aficionados will probably notice these changes. It could be difficult for nearby bakeries and confections to find substitute colorings in order to keep the vivid colors that consumers demand. Additionally, it may take some time for pharmacies to switch to dye-free or differently colored pharmaceuticals.
What Food Items Have Red Dye #3 In Them?
The FDA's recent ban on Red Dye No. 3 is set to impact a wide variety of products that are popular across the U.S., including in Louisiana. Here are some common items that contain the now-banned dye:
Candy:
Brach's candy corn
Valentine's Day treats like Brach's iconic conversation hearts and the Favorite Day Cupid gummy box
Pez candy
Ring Pops
Desserts:
Certain ice cream flavors, such as Safeway's Select peppermint and Kroger's Neapolitan
Popsicles, including Nerds Bomb Pops
Frosting on cupcakes and cakes, like Target's Favorite Day Valentine's Day cupcakes
Cookies with red sprinkles, including Walmart's Freshness Guaranteed heart sugar cookies and frosted circus animal cookies
Snacks and Other Food Products:
Nesquik strawberry-flavored low-fat milk
Imitation bacon bits, such as those in Betty Crocker pasta salads
Jack Link's beef and cheddar sticks
Vigo yellow rice
Canned fruits in fruit juice
These items are now on the radar for reformulation, and their availability may be impacted as companies work to remove the dye from their products.
Health advocates praise the prohibition as a long-overdue step toward safer consumer items, despite the fact that it may seem like a hassle. Over the coming years, Louisianans should anticipate a combination of reformed items and brief shortages as businesses scramble to modify their recipes.
For the time being, it's a good idea to read labels carefully and watch for new versions of your favorite medications and goodies. Even though Red Dye No. 3 will no longer be used, Louisiana's love of vivid, celebratory hues will undoubtedly endure despite impending change.
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Gallery Credit: David Drew