After decades of research on the dangers of artificial dyes, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has banned the use of FD&C Red No. 3 in food and oral medications.
The dye is an animal carcinogenic and has been linked to ADHD-like symptoms in children. Sadly, some common goods still contain Red Dye No. 3, including the following snacks.
Many ice creams and popsicles use Red No. 3, like the Bomb Pop NERDS Freeze Ice Pops and IttiBitz Cotton Candy ice cream. Multiple grocery brands use the dye, too.
Ice creams like Walmart's Unicorn Sparkle, Target's Cotton Candy, and Safeway's Simply Churned Peppermint and Unicorn Cotton Candy use the dye. So do many Kroger dairy products.
A significant number of Little Debbie’s treats feature Red Dye No. 3, including the fan-favorite Cosmic Brownies and the Sparkling Strawberry Unicorn Cakes.
Most of Little Debbie's products with Red Dye No. 3 tend to come from its holiday releases, including its Valentine Brownies, Valentine Mini Muffins, and Christmas Tree Brownies.
Many candy brands use the dye for bright hues. Trolli's Sour Brite Bears, Llamas, and All Star Mix and Ring Pops’ Strawberry and Berry Blast candies are a few examples.
PEZ's mix of assorted fruit candy and Brach's Candy Corn also list Red No. 3 as one of their ingredients. Gums like Dubble Bubble's Bubble Gum also contain the now-banned dye.