Counted under: Synthetic dyes

Red 3

What counts on a label: “Red 3”, also printed as “Red No. 3”, “FD&C Red #3” or “Red 3 Lake”, or inside a list such as “Red 3 & …”. The chemical name “erythrosine” counts too.

Any one of these anywhere in the ingredient list fails the synthetic dyes check.

In this list

Foods that list it
1
Of all foods
897
Aisles
1

Rules that name it

  • FDA: Red No. 3 authorization revoked

    FDA withdrew approval of FD&C Red No. 3 in food and ingested drugs. Food makers must reformulate by Jan 15, 2027 and drug makers by Jan 18, 2028; products made before then may stay on shelves. FDA has also asked food makers to drop it sooner, which is voluntary.

    Effective date: January 15, 2027. Source: FDA

  • California: AB 418: four ingredients banned from food sold in the state

    Bans selling food containing brominated vegetable oil, potassium bromate, propylparaben or Red 3 in California.

    Effective date: January 1, 2027. Source: California Governor signing message

  • West Virginia: HB 2354: seven dyes out of school meals

    Bars Red 3, Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1, Blue 2 and Green 3 from meals in school nutrition programs.

    Effective date: August 1, 2025. Source: West Virginia Legislature

  • West Virginia: HB 2354: statewide sales ban (blocked by court)

    Treats food with those dyes plus BHA and propylparaben as adulterated statewide from Jan 1, 2028. A federal judge paused this part on Dec 23, 2025, so it cannot be enforced while the injunction stands; the school ban is not affected.

    Effective date: January 1, 2028. Source: West Virginia Legislature

  • Texas: SB 25: warning label for 44 ingredients (enjoined)

    Requires a warning on packaged food that contains any of 44 listed ingredients, including most dyes, BHA, BHT, azodicarbonamide, potassium bromate and propylparaben, for labels developed or copyrighted on or after Jan 1, 2027. A federal court paused enforcement against the plaintiffs on Feb 11, 2026 and the state has appealed.

    Effective date: January 1, 2027. Source: Texas Legislature

  • Texas: SB 314: additives out of school meals

    Schools may not serve free or reduced-price meals containing a listed set of dyes and additives, for food contracts made or renewed on or after Sept 1, 2026.

    Effective date: September 1, 2026. Source: Texas Legislature

  • Alaska: SB 187: seven dyes out of school meals

    Bars Red 3, Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1, Blue 2 and Green 3 from school breakfast and lunch.

    Effective date: January 1, 2028. Source: National Agricultural Law Center

  • New Hampshire: SB 577: three dyes barred, six discouraged in school meals

    Public schools may not offer food with Red 3, Citrus Red 2 or Orange B in breakfast or lunch, and are encouraged (not required) to avoid six other dyes.

    Effective date: July 1, 2028. Source: National Agricultural Law Center

Cookies and snack cakes1 of 40

Also counted under synthetic dyes

Red 40Yellow 5Yellow 6Blue 1Blue 2Green 3Citrus Red 2Orange BTitanium dioxideArtificial color (not named)