When I heard the news that the U.S. finally banned Red Dye No. 3 in food, my immediate reaction was: It’s about time! But the more I thought about it, the more I realized how absurd it is that we’ve allowed this dangerous ingredient to stay in our food for decades, even after it was already banned in cosmetics.
Yes, you read that right—Red Dye No. 3 has been banned in cosmetics since 1990 because of its links to cancer in lab studies. Yet, it’s been allowed to stay in our kids’ fruit snacks, cereals, and even vitamins for the last 30+ years.
The reason Red Dye No. 3 has remained in our food for so long comes down to two powerful industries: the food lobby and the petroleum industry. Artificial food dyes, including Red Dye No. 3, are synthetic chemicals derived from petroleum—the same fossil fuel used to make gasoline, plastics, and industrial chemicals.
The food industry has fought hard to keep these cheap, artificial dyes in processed foods because they enhance color, shelf life, and market appeal—especially for kids’ products. Meanwhile, the petroleum industry benefits from the continued use of synthetic dyes as a profitable byproduct of oil refining. Together, these industries have poured millions into lobbying efforts to block stricter regulations and keep the focus away from safer, natural alternatives.
This explains why, even after Red Dye No. 3 was banned in cosmetics more than 30 years ago, it remained in our food—because banning it would disrupt two highly profitable industries. Now that public pressure has forced action, we have to ask: What other harmful ingredients are still being protected by corporate interests at the expense of our health?
The U.S. is Behind on Ingredient Transparency and Safety
As a mom and the founder of Popsicle Beauty Club, I’ve spent years researching clean ingredients and fighting against the toxic beauty industry that markets unsafe products to our kids. What I’ve learned is that the U.S. is woefully behind when it comes to ingredient transparency and consumer safety.
To put things into perspective:
Over 1,600 chemicals are banned from cosmetics in the European Union. In the U.S.? We’ve banned fewer than 20.
Red Dye No. 3 was banned in the EU decades ago, along with other artificial dyes that are still commonly used here.
Many brands in the U.S. create cleaner formulations for European markets but continue to sell the same products with toxic ingredients to American consumers.
What does this mean? We cannot rely on government regulations to protect us. Consumers need to be more vigilant than ever about what we put on and in our bodies.
Why This Matters for Parents
As parents, we have to read labels carefully—not just for our beauty products but for everything we eat and use daily. This is especially critical when it comes to our children, who are far more vulnerable to harmful chemicals due to their developing bodies.
At Popsicle Beauty Club, we’ve always prioritized safe, non-toxic formulations that don’t rely on artificial dyes or harmful additives. Because if a dye isn’t safe enough to be in your lip balm, why on earth would we allow it in our food?
3 Predictions for the Future of Food Coloring & Product Labeling
While the ban on Red Dye No. 3 is a big moment, it’s just the beginning. Here’s what I believe is coming next:
1. More Artificial Dye Bans are Coming
Consumers are more informed than ever, and brands are feeling the pressure. I predict that Red Dye No. 40, Yellow No. 5, and Blue No. 1—which have all been linked to hyperactivity in children and other health concerns—will be next on the chopping block. Major brands will start reformulating their products ahead of regulations to stay ahead of the backlash.
2. Food and Cosmetics Will Move Toward Natural Colorants
Just like we’ve seen in the clean beauty movement, food brands will start looking for natural, plant-based color alternatives like beet juice, turmeric, and spirulina. These alternatives are already being used by organic and specialty brands, but I predict larger food companies will follow suit to maintain consumer trust.
3. Stronger Labeling Laws Will Force Full Transparency
Right now, companies can hide behind vague terms like “natural flavors” or “artificial colors.” But as consumers demand full ingredient transparency, I expect we’ll see stricter labeling laws requiring brands to clearly state what’s in their products—including potential allergens, artificial additives, and sourcing details.
What Can You Do?
Read every label—not just on your skincare and makeup, but also on your kids’ snacks, drinks, and vitamins.
Advocate for safer products by supporting brands that are committed to transparency and clean formulations.
Stay informed about ingredient safety and new legislation so you can make the best choices for your family.
At Popsicle Beauty Club, we’ll continue doing what we’ve always done—creating fun, safe, non-toxic beauty for kids that parents can trust. Because when it comes to the health of our children, we deserve nothing less.
✌🏻Rebecca
