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 FDA’s move comes more than a year after California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the California Food Safety Act, which bans red dye No. 3 and other substances from being sold in the state.

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.

A colorful ingredient you may find in your pantry or medicine cabinet is now banned by the Food and Drug Administration.

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.