I went to the candy aisle at the local grocery store to prepare for Halloween and spent some time looking at the back of the bags. I noticed names like Red 40 and Yellow 5 were present in some products but not in others.

Someone shopping nearby asked, "I heard that red dye is disappearing these days, is that true?" So, I went home and did some research.

To sum it up, half of that is true and half is not yet. There is one dye that is banned by law, while the others are in the stage where the industry has voluntarily requested to remove them.

The dye that is definitely banned is Red No. 3 (Erythrosine). The FDA canceled the approval for its use in food and ingestible drugs on January 15, 2025.

Food and beverage companies must remove it from their products by January 15, 2027, and manufacturers of ingestible drugs have until January 18, 2028. So, even if there are products containing Red No. 3 on the shelves now, it is not a violation of regulations.

Red No. 3 is a petroleum-derived synthetic dye that produces a bright red color, similar to cherries. It has primarily been used in maraschino cherries, fruit cocktails, cake decoration gels, and some candies.

The reason for the ban was somewhat unexpected. It is based on research showing that male rats fed high doses developed thyroid tumors, but the FDA stated that this is due to unique hormonal effects in rats and does not pose the same risk to humans.

However, the approval was canceled due to the Delaney Clause established in 1960, which states that any dye confirmed to cause cancer in humans or animals cannot be approved.

In fact, Red No. 3 was already banned in cosmetics and topical drugs in 1990. I was quite surprised that it remained in food products for over 30 years after that.

Now, here's where it gets confusing. On April 22, 2025, HHS and the FDA announced plans to gradually eliminate petroleum-derived synthetic dyes from food.

The targeted dyes are Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1, Blue 2, and Green 3. These are the names most commonly found in candies, cereals, beverages, and snacks.

However, this is not a ban but a request. The FDA is working with the industry to reduce their use, so it is still legal to sell products containing these dyes.

The target timeline has also changed. Initially, it was announced to be by the end of 2026, but the current FDA industry pledge tracking page states it is now by the end of 2027.

Those who thought all these dyes would disappear by the end of this year might feel a bit let down. Honestly, I felt the same way.

On the other hand, some things have been neatly resolved. The final order to cancel the approval for Orange B, used on sausage casings, was issued in July, and the cancellation process for Citrus Red 2, used on orange peels, is underway.

Both dyes were determined by the FDA to be effectively unused by the industry, so there will likely be little change felt in shopping carts.

So, how are companies responding? The FDA tracking page was updated as of September 15, and each company has different timelines for their commitments.

General Mills stated they would remove these dyes from their U.S. cereals and K-12 school lunch products by this summer. Nestlé has set a goal to eliminate them from all U.S. food and beverage products by mid-2026.

Walmart has committed to removing them by January 2027, while ConAgra has promised to do so for all U.S. retail products by the end of 2027. This is why the pace varies even among products on the same shelf.

In the candy sector, Mars stands out. In August, they introduced versions of M&M's, Skittles, Starburst, and Extra gum without synthetic dyes on Amazon first.

They reportedly used beet juice for red, turmeric for yellow, and spirulina for blue. However, this does not mean they are eliminating the original products; it simply adds another option, so the original versions are still available in stores.

Approval for alternative dyes has also sped up. Calcium phosphate, Gardenia blue, and Gadenia blue have been newly approved, and the use of butterfly pea flower extract and spirulina has been expanded, with beet red added as well.

In February of this year, the labeling standards changed. If only natural dyes are used instead of petroleum-derived dyes, the FDA will not have an issue with labeling it as "No Artificial Colors."

So, moving forward, it's best to check the ingredient list on the back rather than relying solely on the front label. Names with numbers like Red 40 indicate synthetic dyes, while ingredient names like beet juice or turmeric indicate natural sources.

When choosing Halloween candy, my process is simple. I flip the bag over and check the ingredient list first. I count how many dyes with numbers are present.

Then, I mix in a few candies that are less colorful for the kids' share. Instead of trying to switch everything out, I just adjust the ratio a bit.

There are studies suggesting that synthetic dyes may affect some children's behavior, but interpretations are still mixed. So, I think it's best to lightly adjust the amount rather than panic.

It's also worth checking ingestible drugs. Some pink syrups or pills may contain Red No. 3, but there is a grace period until January 2028, so if you're concerned, ask your pharmacist if there are alternative products available.

Especially if you have allergies or existing health conditions, it's safest to consult with a doctor or pharmacist before making changes to food or medication.

In summary, Red No. 3 is definitely being phased out, and the fate of the other six depends on the commitments of companies. Just knowing this difference can help you avoid being swayed by news headlines.

I appreciate that even if regulations are a bit slow, there is a trend of companies making changes first. Even if the colors derived from beets and turmeric are a bit muted, they feel more comforting to have next to a cup of coffee on a rainy autumn afternoon.

This Halloween, how about starting a small habit of flipping over the candy bag to check the ingredients?