The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Wednesday revoked authorization for a color additive known as Red Dye No. 3, outlawing its use in food and ingested drugs following an agency review of data and studies linking the substance to cancer in rats.

The Details: Red Dye No. 3 is a synthetic substance called erythrosine, which is used in food and drinks, giving them a bright, cherry-red color. The FDA conducted the review following petitions from several advocates citing studies pointing to a connection between the dye and cancer in male rats.

For Context: Manufacturers utilizing the dye have until January 15, 2027, to reformulate food recipes, and January 18, 2028, for drugs. The dye, which has also been banned in cosmetics and topical drugs since 1990 over cancer concerns, is also outlawed in several other countries. The FDA, however, noted the lack of data to connect concerns of cancer to anything other than rats.

How The Media Covered It: Some outlets, such as the New York Times (Lean Left bias), mentioned incoming President Donald Trump’s pick for health secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr, showing a possible connection between the revocation and the incoming administration. Newsmax (Right), on the other hand, gave more weight than many other outlets to the defense of the substance, highlighting the FDA claims for a lack of evidence pointing to risk for human consumption.