FDA Bans Many Candies: What You Need to Know

1 minute read

In the last couple days, the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has banned Red Dye 3, a food coloring used in many food, beverages, and candies. The FDA has banned this substance due to it causing cancer and behavioral issues in children. This dye was banned in Europe years ago, but has continued to be produced in America. But don’t panic. Food companies will have until 2028, to stop using the dye, meaning that nobody is taking away your Peeps before Easter (thank goodness), but many food companies will have to change their production. I have added a list, containing everything with Red Dye 3.

• Brach’s candy corn
• Valentine’s Day candy, including Brach’s iconic conversation hearts and the Favorite Day Cupid gummy box
• Pez
• Ring Pops
• Certain brands and flavors of ice cream, including Safeway’s Select peppermint ice cream and Kroger Neapolitan ice cream
• Popsicles, including Nerds Bomb Pops
• Frosting found on cupcakes and other cakes, like Target’s Favorite Day Valentine’s Day cupcakes
• Cookies with red sprinkles, such as Walmart’s Freshness Guaranteed heart sugar cookies and frosted circus animal cookies
• Nesquik strawberry-flavored low-fat milk
• Imitation bacon bits, including those found in Betty Crocker pasta salads
• Jack Link’s beef and cheddar sticks
• Vigo yellow rice
• Canned fruits in fruit juice, including mixed fruit from Publix

This banning of Red Dye 3, sets a precedent as the FDA may become more strict on what is allowed in our food. Substances like Red Dye 40 could be banned, a dye that is used in Gatorade, and Flamin’ Hot chips.