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“Then God said, ‘I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food.’”
-Genesis 1:29
We eat first with our eyes. Bright apple-red hues in treats like candies, cupcake frostings, cookies and that sweet Shirley Temple with a maraschino cherry on top can be too tempting not to eat or drink — for children and adults alike. But what’s in our food goes into our bodies, and unless they come from nature, the ingredients in those pretty-colored items might not be so good for our health.
At AdventHealth, our legacy of whole-person care starts with what’s God-given — including nourishment for the body, mind and spirit through the natural power of optimal nutrition. We’re here to educate our readers on the recent ban on red dye No. 3, processed foods to avoid and natural, healthy choices that are just as appealing to our senses, as well as beneficial to our whole health.
Ban on Red Dye No. 3
The FDA just banned red dye No. 3 from foods, drinks and ingested drugs in the United States, 30 years after scientists discovered a connection between red food dye and cancer in animals.
Already prohibited in Europe since 1994, red dye No. 3 is a synthetic color additive made from petroleum used to give food and drinks the appealing bright red color. Chemically, the product is known as erythrosine. The ban is a step in the right direction in protecting public health and safety.
Foods to Avoid That Contain Red Dye No. 3
While the red dye No. 3 ban was FDA-approved, it won’t be effective until 2027 for food and beverages, and 2028 for ingestible drugs. That means there will still be products containing the dye available for several years.
All food dyes are associated with processed foods, and they offer us no nutritional benefits along with their potential to cause significant harm to our well-being. Here are some (processed) foods, drinks and medicines that commonly contain dyes to watch out for before the ban takes effect:
- Bacon bits
- Cakes and cupcakes
- Candies
- Chewable colored medicines
- Colored beverages
- Cough drops
- Frostings
- Frozen desserts with strawberry or cherry flavoring
- Fruit cocktails
- Liquid cough and allergy medicines
- Maraschino cherries
- Protein shakes
- Puddings
- Sausages
- Strawberry milk
- Vegetarian meats
Look for organic versions of these products that use natural ingredients only. You’ll find that while they might not look as colorful, they taste better than their processed counterparts and they are better for you and your family.
Red dye No. 3 is legally required to be listed on food labels. It’s noted as:
- FD&C Red No. 3
- FD&C Red 3
- Red 3
Healthy, Safe Alternatives to Red Food Coloring
Making special foods look appealing without compromising your health with chemical food additives is still possible. “Eating the rainbow” through what nature provides — colorful fruits, vegetables and whole grains — is one of the healthiest habits to adopt no matter our stage of life. We don’t need food dyes. All those naturally rich hues that make our real foods so gorgeous equate to major health benefits, like anti-inflammatory, cancer-fighting antioxidants.
Here are some ideas for adding color to your diet and your plate — the right way:
- Beets: Concentrated beet juice can be used to make foods red or pink. You can make your own beet powder or use store-bought beet powder. Beets are rich in vitamins and minerals. They also have anti-inflammatory properties, which may help reduce the risk of chronic diseases.
- Cranberries: The pigmentation of cranberries comes from compounds called anthocyanins, flavonoids known for their antioxidant properties. Due to their bright red hue, dried, powdered or boiled cranberries can be used as a natural and healthy food colorant alternative.
- Hibiscus: Dried hibiscus can be used to make a ruby-red infusion.
- Matcha: Matcha powder made from finely ground green tea leaves. An easy way to use this natural green food coloring is in your baked goods. Teas contain compounds called flavonoids that have antioxidant properties. Green tea is most associated with anti-cancer properties because it contains the highest concentration of powerful antioxidants.
- Pomegranate: Pomegranates are thought to be natural preventatives for various diseases and illnesses, including high blood pressure, oxidative stress and high cholesterol. Boil them and drain into a mesh strainer and save their juice as a naturally delicious and beautiful ruby-red coloring.
If you choose to add color to your foods and homemade desserts, other options include berries, such as blueberries, strawberries and raspberries, cherries, red cabbage, freeze-dried fruits and even spinach. By eating with your eyes the natural way, you have everything to gain and nothing to lose.
Good Food Fuels a Good Life
When you choose life-giving foods, you'll experience life more vibrantly. Our primary care physicians are here to help you create a customized wellness plan for your whole life based on our AdventHealth wellness philosophy, CREATION Life. CREATION Life stems from eight God-given principles that lead to the whole life that God intended for us — one of abundance and optimal health.
Learn more about CREATION Life and how its principles can help you live whole and find a primary care physician to support your health goals. You deserve to live life to the fullest.