Food Dye Red 3 Might Be Off the Menu

Red 3, also known as erythrosine, could soon vanish from your favorite foods and medicines. This artificial coloring, linked to thyroid cancer in animals and hyperactivity in kids, is under review by the FDA. Despite being banned in cosmetics, it's still used in various snacks like Dubble Bubble gum and Nestle strawberry milk, and even in drugs like Tylenol PM. Some places, like California and the EU, have already taken action.

Kids aged 2 to 5 consume twice as much Red 3 than adults. Studies show mixed results, but some experts worry about the dye's impact on children's behavior. The FDA is considering a ban, but it's not clear when or if it will happen. Red 3 is made from petroleum and is currently allowed in over 2, 800 food items in the US. It's also used in some popular medicines. Critics argue the dye could harm kids, while supporters point to lack of definitive human studies.

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