The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced Wednesday that it has banned the use of Red Dye No. 3 in food, beverages, and ingested medications, over 30 years after research identified links to cancer in animals.

Red Dye No. 3, also known as Erythrosine (FD&C Red No. 3), is a synthetic dye commonly used to provide a bright pink or red color in various foods, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. It is often found in products like candies, frostings, maraschino cherries, baked goods, and certain medications, as well as in cosmetics such as lipsticks and blushes. However, its safety has been a topic of controversy. Animal studies have linked high doses of Red Dye No. 3 to thyroid tumors in rats, leading to its ban in some non-food applications in the U.S.

“The FDA is taking action that will remove the authorization for the use of FD&C Red No. 3 in food and ingested drugs,” said Jim Jones, the FDA’s deputy commissioner for human foods, per The Associated Press. “Evidence shows cancer in laboratory male rats exposed to high levels of FD&C Red No.3. Importantly, the way that FD&C Red No. 3 causes cancer in male rats does not occur in humans.”

According to CNN, this decision responds to a petition filed in November 2022 by advocacy groups and individuals, including the Center for Science in the Public Interest and the Environmental Working Group, which highlighted the dye’s potential cancer risks. The FDA’s ruling also aligns with a similar measure taken by California, where the additive was prohibited in October 2023.

Per the FDA, manufacturers using Red Dye No. 3 in food products have until January 15, 2027, to adjust their formulations, while those using it in ingested drugs have until January 18, 2028. Additionally, imported foods must also adhere to these new regulations.

According to Food Scores, a database maintained by the Environmental Working Group, nearly 3,000 food products contain Red Dye No. 3.