U.S. authorities announced today that they are banning the use in food and drugs of a controversial red dye substance, which has been known for more than 30 years to cause various forms of cancer in animals – a decision that represents a major victory for consumer groups.

The synthetic pigment called erythrosine, which is derived from petroleum, is also known as E127 in Europe and as “Red 3” in North America. It is used to give foods or drug capsules a pink to bright red appearance.

The pigment is present in nearly 3,000 food products marketed in the US, according to the environmental organization EWG’s database: candy, canned fruit, beverages, and even a vegetarian substitute for bacon.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) “is revoking the use of Red 3 in foods as well as oral medications,” it clarified in an official document released today.

This dye already could not be used in the United States in cosmetics and drugs applied directly to the skin since 1990 because of the risk of allergy and suspected carcinogenicity, after studies showed it causes various forms of cancer in rodents.

Elsewhere in the world, several countries, notably those in the European Union, very strictly restrict its use.

American consumer associations submitted a 2022 request to the FDA to ban the use of this additive in food as well as in oral medications. A request to which the authorities decided to respond positively.