Red 3

Banned by FDA

Also labeled as: FD&C Red No. 3, Erythrosine, E127

A synthetic red dye historically used in candy, cake decorations, and maraschino cherries.

Regulatory status: Banned. The FDA formally revoked authorization for Red 3 in food in January 2025, a separate and stronger action than the voluntary phase-out request covering the other dyes. Manufacturers have until January 2027 to reformulate or stop selling existing Red 3 products.

969
products contain it in this category
Target Stores
top manufacturer by product count
Candy
most common category

Manufacturers most likely to use Red 3

ManufacturerProducts with Red 3
Target Stores779
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.484
Ferrara Candy Company419
Ross Acquisition Inc.381
Wilton Industries Inc.372
Pez Candy, Inc.154
Kingston Marketing Co125
Signature Brands LLC120
The Kroger Co.116
Meijer, Inc.104

Products

MEMBER'S MARK
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
label from 2018
Red 40Yellow 5Yellow 6Blue 1+3 more
MRS. FRESHLEY'S
Flowers Foods, Inc.
label from 2020
Red 40Yellow 5Yellow 6Blue 1+5 more
MRS. FRESHLEY'S
Flowers Foods, Inc.
label from 2018
Red 40Yellow 5Yellow 6Blue 1+5 more
MRS. FRESHLEY'S
Flowers Foods, Inc.
label from 2020
Red 40Yellow 5Yellow 6Blue 1+4 more
MRS. FRESHLEY'S
Flowers Foods, Inc.
label from 2020
Yellow 5Blue 1Red 3Titanium Dioxide+1 more
MRS. FRESHLEY'S
Flowers Foods, Inc.
label from 2023
Red 40Yellow 5Yellow 6Blue 1+5 more
MRS. W'S WONDERLICIOUS CAKES
Hometown Foods USA, Inc
label from 2021
Red 40Yellow 5Yellow 6Blue 1+4 more
NIKOLA'S BAKERY
Nikola's Biscotti & European Specialties Inc.
label from 2023
Red 40Yellow 5Blue 1Red 3+3 more
OPEN ACRES
Nash Finch Company
label from 2023
Yellow 5Yellow 6Blue 1Red 3+1 more
OPEN ACRES
Nash Finch Company
label from 2023
Yellow 5Yellow 6Blue 1Red 3+1 more
OPTIMUM NUTRITION
Optimum Nutrition, Inc.
label from 2019
Red 40Yellow 5Yellow 6Blue 1+3 more
OPTIMUM NUTRITION
Optimum Nutrition, Inc.
label from 2018
Red 40Yellow 5Yellow 6Blue 1+3 more
OUR SPECIALTY
Rich Products Corporation
label from 2020
Red 40Yellow 5Yellow 6Blue 1+6 more
OUR SPECIALTY
Rich Products Corporation
label from 2020
Red 40Yellow 5Yellow 6Red 3+2 more
OUR SPECIALTY
Rich Products Corporation
label from 2021
Yellow 5Yellow 6Blue 1Red 3+4 more
OUR SPECIALTY
Rich Products Corporation
label from 2020
Yellow 5Yellow 6Blue 1Red 3+4 more
OUR SPECIALTY
Rich Products Corporation
label from 2022
Red 40Yellow 5Yellow 6Blue 1+6 more
OUR SPECIALTY
Rich Products Corporation
label from 2020
Red 40Yellow 5Yellow 6Blue 1+2 more
OUR SPECIALTY
Rich Products Corporation
label from 2022
Red 40Yellow 5Yellow 6Blue 1+2 more
OUR SPECIALTY
Rich Products Corporation
label from 2023
Red 40Yellow 5Blue 1Red 3+2 more
PALERMO BAKERY
Charles River Media
label from 2022
Red 40Yellow 5Yellow 6Blue 1+2 more
PALERMO DESSERTS
PALERMOS WHOLESALE
label from 2023
Red 40Yellow 5Yellow 6Blue 1+2 more
PEEPS
The Kroger Co.
label from 2018
Red 40Yellow 5Yellow 6Blue 1+3 more
PEEPS
Just Born, Inc.
label from 2023
Yellow 5Blue 1Red 3