Q COSTA RICA — The Ministry of Health announced that it is evaluating the ban on the artificial food coloring Red No. 3 or Red Dye 3, also known as erythrosine.
This follows the recent decision by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to revoke the authorization for the use of this coloring in food, due to its relationship with thyroid cancer in animals.
In Costa Rica and Central America, Red No. 3 or Red Dye 3 is regulated by the Central American Technical Regulation RTCA 67.04.54:18, so its use is currently still permitted.
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“We will continue to be attentive to all types of information provided by regional and international authorities in order to guarantee the health and protection of all of you,” said Dr. Mary Munive, vice president and Minister of Health.
Measures to be taken by the Ministry of Health:
- It will call an extraordinary meeting of the Central American Commission on Food Additives to evaluate the use of Red No. 3 dye.
- It will analyze samples of products containing this dye at the Costa Rican Institute for Research and Education in Nutrition and Health (Inciensa) to verify that they comply with the quantities currently permitted.
Regarding medicines containing Red No. 3, the Ministry of Health will soon communicate the actions to be taken.
Which foods contain Red Dye 3?
The dye is used primarily in candy, cakes, cookies, frozen desserts, frosting, and some medicines.
Colored candies include the additive as an ingredient. It also has been used in toaster pastries (ie Pop Tarts), maraschino cherries, and some sodas and fruit-flavored drinks.
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The additive was used in cough syrups and gummy vitamins to give them a bright red color.
While some companies are working on eliminating the additive, others have already completed the transition. According to CBS News, Hershey’s stopped using this coloring in 2021, so products such as Kit Kat, Reese’s, and Kisses are now free of this substance.
Post Consumer Brands, maker of cereals such as Pebbles and Honey Bunches of Oats, confirmed that none of its products contain the additive. PepsiCo, which makes Ruffles, Doritos, Gatorade and Mountain Dew, also said its current portfolio does not use Red 3.
With defined timelines for additive elimination, the industry faces the challenge of modifying its recipes without compromising the taste, appearance or stability of its products.
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