In the News: DeNysschen offers insight on FDA’s Red 3 ban

Carol DeNysschen, dean of Buffalo State University’s School of the Professions, was interviewed as a nutrition expert for the January 15 WGRZ-TV 2 coverage of the Food and Drug Administration’s recent ban of the dye Red 3. 

The video segment, “These items in your pantry and medicine cabinet might contain Red 3 dye,” by Alissa Clausell, explored the reason for the ban and discussed how consumers can identify Red 3 in products already on the shelves and in their homes. 

Although only recently banned from food and beverage products, the colorant has been banned from cosmetics and non-oral medication for decades.

“Believe it or not, back in the eighties, there were some studies that linked it to cancer,” DeNysschen said. “In the nineties, the FDA banned it from cosmetics, but not from food.”

However, DeNysschen said, there is no need to panic if you’ve consumed a product with Red Dye 3 in the past.

“I want to caution people,” she said. “With these studies, when there is a link, it’s generally with large quantities.”

Red dye is most likely to show up in candy, baked goods, dairy and frozen foods, fruit products, beverages, and medications.

“You have to read the labels,” DeNysschen said. “But you don’t have to read every label. Look at the item. If it’s red, you’re going to say, ‘Hmm.’” 

Photo by Jacqueline Brandwayn.