Skip to contentNewsWhy the FDA banned the common food dye Red No. 3Studies in rats link high exposure to cancer, but theres little science on its harm to people Some gummy and other candies get their bright color from the synthetic food dye Red No. 3, which the FDA has now banned.mikroman6/Getty ImagesBy Meghan Rosen8 seconds agoThe cherry-red synthetic dye Red No. 3 is no longer allowed in foods, drinks and drugs.On January 15, theU.S. Food and Drug Administration banned the dye, which is primarily used to color sweet treats like candy, cakes, cookies and baking decorations like rainbow sprinkles, as well as in certain ingested medications. Consumers today may also find Red No. 3 in other products, including sausage, tortilla chips and popcorn, according to a searchableU.S. Department of Agriculture database.