Red Dye 3: A look in the reason behind the ban

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) -Candies, colored beverages, cakes and frostings and even some pharmaceutical drugs. All these and more will soon have to find alternatives to the Red Dye 3 after the FDA announced the move to ban the dye.

Teresa Howard, owner of ‘That One Cupcake Place’ said unless it’s in the candy toppings, she doesn’t use Red Dye 3 in her cupcakes.

“The goal for us when we first opened was to give the people like something that didn’t have a laundry list of ingredients. And I think that that’s what we’re proud of. I think that’s what kind of makes us different,” said Howard.

Dr. Peter Thorne runs the Human Toxicology and Occupational and Environmental Health programs at the University of Iowa.

He said researchers have known about the cancer-causing properties of red dye three since the 80′s.

“Red Dye number 3 contains four iodine atoms in the molecule. And iodine acts on the thyroid. And so when you’re ingesting large amounts of iodine, it stands to reason that it would affect the thyroid,” said Throne.

And while the dye was banned in makeup products in the 90′s, Thorne said it was petitioners that helped push the ban in food products through more than 30 years later.

“When we can identify things that might be contributing to that, that really are not necessary and can remove them from our exposure, then that’s an appropriate thing to do,” said Thorne.

The FDA said the dye must be out of food products by 2027, and until then, Howard said if you’re worried about the products you’re buying locally, don’t be afraid to ask.

“Customers can always ask if they’re uncomfortable anywhere they go, what’s going into their food,” said Howard. “It’s been a given to us to be outright as to what’s in our cupcakes. We don’t want to hurt anyone. We don’t want anyone to have a bad day because of us.”