Good News: Red Dye #3 is Finally Getting Banned
Today we have good news to share about Red Dye #3 is finally getting banned, but it's not enough!
At long last, the FDA has taken a critical step by banning Red Dye #3 from food and ingested medications—a victory that’s been over 30 years in the making. Red Dye #3 has been causing invisible harm for far too long! Starting in 2027, food products will no longer contain this harmful dye, which has been linked to cancer in laboratory studies. This move is a win for public health and proof that consumer advocacy can lead to change. But while this news is worth celebrating, it also raises serious questions about why it took so long to protect us—and why we’re still not fully safe from toxic dyes.
It’s Time to Ban All Synthetic Dyes Because this is Causing so much Invisible Harm
While the FDA’s decision to ban Red Dye #3 is a step in the right direction, it’s far from enough. There are plenty of alternatives to synthetic dyes—safe, natural options like beet powder for red coloring, spirulina for blue, and turmeric for yellow. These ingredients aren’t just safe; they’re nourishing for the body and reflect the principles of clean living that we champion here at Mama Bear's Naturals.
So why stop at Red Dye #3? The FDA should seize this opportunity to ban all synthetic dyes and challenge manufacturers to use natural alternatives. If we’ve proven that better options exist, why settle for anything less?
Why Was Red Dye #3 Banned in Cosmetics But Allowed in Food?
Here’s a fact that might make your head spin: Red Dye #3 was banned in cosmetics and topical drugs in 1990 due to its link to cancer in lab animals. Yet for over 30 years, it remained in food and ingested medications, exposing millions to unnecessary risk.
How does that make sense? Why did the FDA prioritize the safety of makeup users over the safety of people eating food with this dye? The science hasn’t changed since 1990, so why did we wait decades for this ban? These are the questions we must keep asking because regulatory agencies are meant to protect us—not big business profits.
2027? That’s Three More Years of Poisoning Us
While it’s good that the FDA has finally stepped up, the timeline they’ve given to food manufacturers is unacceptable. By allowing businesses until 2027 to reformulate their products, the FDA is effectively saying, “We know this dye is harmful, but go ahead and keep using it for three more years.”
Three years is far too long for us and our families to continue consuming harmful ingredients. Businesses can move faster when profit is on the line, so why not when public health is at stake? The delay is a glaring example of how the system continues to prioritize industry convenience over consumer safety. We deserve better.
The Challenge: Read the Labels
At Mama Bear's Naturals, we believe that knowledge is power. The more you know about what you’re putting into—and onto—your body, the better choices you can make for your health and your family’s well-being.
So here’s our challenge to you: Read the ingredients in your food and skincare products. Look for the unpronounceable names, the artificial dyes, and the overprocessed chemicals that don’t belong in your routine.
We’ve been on this journey, and we know it’s overwhelming at first. But every small step you take toward clean living is a victory. Together, we can demand better, safer, and healthier options from the brands and agencies that serve us.
Join the Movement
Let’s celebrate the FDA’s ban on Red Dye #3, but let’s also use this moment to push for more. Let’s demand bans on all harmful dyes, advocate for transparency, and support brands that are doing it right.
YOU matter! Your health matters! Your choices matter. And we’re here to walk this journey with you, one ingredient at a time.
Ready to start your clean living journey? Upgrade your daily skincare routine by checking out one of Skincare Bundles. We NEVER use dyes or perfume in our products!