Dive briefs:
- there will be another month to consider above Petitions from Several Consumer and Health GroupsWe are calling on the FDA, including the Center for Science in the Public Interest, to ban the use of FD&C Red No. 3 dyes in foods, supplements and pharmaceuticals.
- The CSPI and other groups behind the petition say research shows there is compelling evidence that Red No. 3 is carcinogenic. Based on studies done on animals in the 1970s and 1980s, FDA Ban on the use of dyes in cosmetics and topical drugs in 1990 Used for certain cherries.
- For years, consumer groups have petitioned the FDA and food manufacturers to stop using common synthetic food colors. Over the years, not much has changed.
Dive Insight:
While consumer groups’ battle against artificial colors in food and beverages has been long and unwavering, some times have seen more action than others.
Petitions against Red 3, campaigns and conferences by consumer groups about the dangers of dyes have created a more active front in the battle in recent months. According to Regulations.govas of Wednesday, 14,916 comments had been submitted to the petition.
The extension was requested in two letters. One letter was from the American Bakers Association, Consumer Brands Association, National Confectioners Association, and SNAC International. Another letter came from the International Color Manufacturers Association. None of these groups have yet commented on the docket.
At the time the FDA rejected Red No. 3’s use in cosmetics, it was permanently approved for use in food and pharmaceuticals in the United States.
Leaders of the Environmental Working Group, Consumer Reports, CSPI, and former Director of the National Institute of Environmental Sciences hosted a media call last week to speak on the Red 3 issue.
“The FDA has known since the early 1980s. They have had the data since 1983. [that] Red 3 causes cancer, thyroid cancer when eaten by animals,” said Thomas Galligan, chief scientist for food additives and supplements at CSPI, by phone. “And based on that evidence, we banned its use in cosmetics. If it is a pathway, why is it still in food after 33 years?”
Past consumer-based campaigns against artificial colors, including Red No. 3, haven’t gone far. CSPI is Call for ban on artificial colors Group since 2008 Formally petitioned to FDAThe reason was that since the 1970s, synthetic food dyes have been associated with behavioral problems in children, and there has been growing evidence of the association. The petition led to a meeting on synthetic food colors at the FDA’s Food Advisory Committee in 2011, which resulted in no action.
In 2015 and 2016, Mars Co., Ltd.General Mills, Kellogg’s We are committed to removing artificial flavors and colors from our products, including brightly colored products such as Skittles, M&Ms, Lucky Charms, Trix, Froot Loops and more. The companies all backed away from their promises, citing reasons such as that US consumers aren’t as concerned with artificial colors and aren’t willing to buy products made in dull, natural colors.
Regulations on artificial dyes have also been submitted to the State Legislature. Starting in 2017, California legislators proposed a state law requiring warning labels to appear on products that use these types of colors. In 2018, legislators allocated about $500,000 to research the issue.
stronger california bill Regulations banning the manufacture, sale, or distribution of products with Red No. 3 and other controversial colorants, including titanium dioxide, are currently prohibited. Pending State Legislature.
