Mexico to Restrict Use of Red Dye No. 3 in Processed Foods

The Federal Commission for Protection Against Sanitary Risks (COFEPRIS) announced that it will restrict the use of Red Dye No. 3 in processed foods. The measure follows the ban of the additive in the United States earlier this year.

COFEPRIS found that exposure to Red Dye No. 3, also known as erythrosine, through foods such as cookies and powdered mixes for gelatin or atole, exceeds the recommended daily intake levels, representing an unacceptable risk for the population, according to a document sent to the Mexico City Congress.

The agency’s scientific council will issue a precautionary measure to prohibit the dye’s use. The modification will be included in the next update of the “Agreement Determining Food Additives and Processing Aids in Food, Beverages, and Dietary Supplements, Their Use, and Sanitary Provisions,” which will be published in the Official Gazette of the Federation. Once published, Red Dye No. 3 will be removed from the list of colorants with an Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI). COFEPRIS plans to give companies a 24-month period to reformulate their products and comply with the new rules, seeking to avoid shortages of processed foods.

The decision aligns with actions taken by other international agencies. In January, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a ban on the use of synthetic Red Dye No. 3 in food and beverages, expanding a restriction that had already been in place since 1990 for cosmetics and personal care products, as reported by MBN. Under the new rule, food manufacturers must remove the dye from their products by January 2027, while prescription drug manufacturers using it have until Jan. 18, 2028, to comply. Similarly, the measure became official in Peru earlier this month.

Numerous studies have linked erythrosine consumption to various health risks, including the potential development of thyroid tumors in rats, hyperactivity in children, allergies, and skin reactions. In response to the ban, the food industry is expected to explore natural alternatives that can maintain the appealing appearance of products without health risks. Suggested options include beetroot, carmine (derived from cochineal), anthocyanins from fruits such as grapes and blueberries, paprika, and lycopene.

Meanwhile, the Federal Consumer Protection Agency (PROFECO) recommended that consumers choose foods made with natural colorants such as curcumin or chlorophyll. It also urged the public to read processed food labels carefully. Erythrosine can be identified as E-127 or FD&C Red No. 3 and is commonly found in products marketed toward children and teenagers.