Red 3—also called FD&C Red No. 3, erythrosine or E127—has been widely used in food, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals since its FDA approval in 1969. You've likely encountered Red 3 before.

Some states have already moved to restrict some synthetic dyes and the FDA banned Red 3 from the nation’s food supply.

also known as erythrosine, caused cancer in lab rats. A federal statute requires FDA to ban any additive found to cause cancer in animals, though officials stressed that the way Red 3 leads to ...