Red dye No. 3 has been permissible for use in food despite the Delaney Clause of the FDA’s Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. The clause, in part, “prohibits the FDA from approving a color additive that is ingested if it causes cancer in animals or humans when ingested,” according to the agency .

Red No. 3, also known as erythrosine, is a color additive made from petroleum that gives foods and drinks a bright, cherry-red color.

The colorant was banned from cosmetics and non-oral medications decades ago because a study showed it caused cancer when eaten by rats. But it kept appearing on the ingredient lists of popular snack foods and other grocery products because it remained approved for use until now.

While it caused cancer in these male rats, the dye does not cause cancer in humans and other animals in the same way, according to other studies. Therefore, “claims that the use of FD&C Red No. 3 in food and in ingested drugs puts people at risk are not supported by the available scientific information,” according to the FDA.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has banned the commonly used food dye erythrosine, also known as Red 3, from food, drinks and oral medicines, citing research showing it causes cancer in male rats.

Several consumer-favorite cereals, snacks and other food products may have contained the red food coloring recently banned by the FDA.

Federal regulators this week banned a red food dye long considered a carcinogen. Confectioners like Hershey say they haven't used the ingredient in years.

From candy and concentrated fruit juice to pickles and ice cream, red dye No. 3 gives thousands of products a bright, cherry-red hue. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced a ban on red No. 3 on Jan.