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Food Colors: Rethinking What’s in Your Bottle

FOOD COLORS & DYES: Rethinking what's in your bottle (with 3 beakers with bright red liquid)

When it comes to what’s in our food, synthetic colors have long been a hot topic of discussion. 

Following the FDA’s recent ban on Red Dye #3 we thought we’d take a closer look at the research that’s out there on these common additives that are widely present in everything from sports drinks to candy and even foods that are marketed to our kids. 

A recent review, Food Safety and Health Concerns of Synthetic Food Colors: An Update (2024), highlights the growing body of research on synthetic dyes and their potential risks. The findings urge us to reconsider the role of these additives in our diets and emphasize the need for transparency and safer alternatives.

Row of brightly colored sports drinks on a running track

FDA Bans Red Dye #3: A Milestone in Food Safety

In a historic decision, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) banned the use of Red Dye #3 (FD&C Red No. 3) in the nation’s food supply, marking a significant step forward for public health. The decision, announced on January 15, 2025, follows decades of advocacy by health and safety groups. The dye, which has been linked to cancer in lab rats, was already prohibited in cosmetics since 1990 but remained in use in foods, dietary supplements, and oral medicines until now.

The FDA’s decision stems from studies indicating that high levels of Red Dye #3 caused cancer in male rats, as well as the Delaney Clause—a statute mandating the prohibition of additives found to cause cancer in humans or animals. Food manufacturers have until January 2027 to remove the dye from their products, and ingested drug makers have until January 2028 to comply.

Consumer advocacy groups, including the Center for Science in the Public Interest, have praised the move as long overdue. “This is a welcome, but long overdue, action from the FDA: removing the unsustainable double standard in which Red 3 was banned from lipstick but permitted in candy,” said Dr. Peter Lurie, director of CSPI.

 

Beakers filled with red liquid

The Health Risks of Synthetic Colors

Synthetic food colors, while visually appealing, come with a history of health concerns. Research has linked certain dyes to issues like hyperactivity in children, allergic reactions, and even potential carcinogenicity. Although regulatory agencies like the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) establish acceptable daily intake (ADI) limits, new studies suggest that even these levels might not always guarantee safety. Many dyes have demonstrated effects on liver and kidney function, immune responses, and developmental processes in animal studies.

brightly colored gummies and candy made with dyes

Moving Toward Safer Alternatives

The FDA’s ban on Red Dye #3 underscores the need for natural, plant-based colorants that are both safe and sustainable. Food manufacturers have already begun transitioning to alternatives like beet juice, carmine (a dye derived from insects), and pigments from purple sweet potato, radish, and red cabbage. These natural options not only reduce health risks but also align with growing consumer demand for clean-label products.

 

Red Cochineal Bugs that make Carmine natural red food coloring

INFINIT Nutrition: Leading the Way in Clean Nutrition

At INFINIT Nutrition, we’ve always been ahead of the curve. Since our founding in 2003, all our products have been free from all colors or dyes. Why? Because we believe performance nutrition should fuel your body—not burden it with unnecessary additives. We use only clean, functional ingredients to support your health and performance goals.

Our commitment to transparency and quality means you can trust every scoop of INFINIT Nutrition to deliver exactly what you need and nothing you don’t. By staying true to our values, we’ve set the standard for what clean nutrition should look like—bright ideas without the bright colors.

Hydrate Essential Hydration with strawberries, lemons and a glass of clear liquid

The Takeaway

The FDA’s decision to ban Red Dye #3 is a victory for consumer safety and a step toward a cleaner food system. As research continues to uncover the risks of synthetic dyes, it’s up to brands and consumers alike to champion cleaner, safer options.

With INFINIT Nutrition, you don’t have to compromise. Our products are proof that simplicity and performance can coexist beautifully—without a single drop of dye.

 

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