Red Dye No 3: Is it in Your Pre-Workouts, Protein or Aminos?

If you have listened to the news lately, you are aware that the federal government has banned the Red Dye No. 3 in all foods and digested medicines. But we wanted to know how much this will actually affect the supplement market. Do we need to worry about this dye in supplement such as protein powders, BCAA's and aminos, pre-workouts and other pills, capsules or tablets.

Find a growing list of supplements that are dye free here.

First, What is Red Dye No. 3?

Red Dye No. 3 is a synthetic color additive derived from petroleum, commonly used to impart a bright, cherry-red hue to various products, including candies, baked goods, and certain medications. 

Why is it Being Banned?

Studies link this synthetic dye to cancer in animals. In the 1980s, studies indicated that high doses of Red Dye No. 3 caused thyroid tumors in male laboratory rats. Then in 1990, the FDA prohibited its use in cosmetics and topical medications due to these carcinogenic concerns. Despite the earlier ban in cosmetics, Red Dye No. 3 continued to be permitted in food and ingested drugs, which is crazy to us! Why can you not put it on your skin, but you can still digest it?

Back to the Topic…Do My Supplements Have Red Dye No. 3?

So we scoured the entire warehouse, did research online, and viewed products on our website and found almost nothing that contained Red Dye No. 3. The only product I found was from Glaxon, which was a creatine supplement. The good news is that we no longer carry this brand and it has been in our clearance section for a couple months.

Most of supplements that do have a red color, use Red Dye No 40 or Beet Root Powder for their coloring. Many supplements such as OxyShred use no dyes. They also state this on the label.

If you are concerned about dyes, we would recommend looking at the label on any supplement you are buying or have. 99% of the time they will list what dyes, if any, are in the product you are about to consume.

Red Dye No 40 is in My Supplement!

This isn't necessarily a bad thing. Red Dye No 40 has not provided conclusive evidence linking it to cancer or severe adverse effects in animals or humans. The FDA have reviewed existing studies on Red Dye 40 and concluded that it is safe for consumption at current levels of use. Regulatory bodies considered it a safer alternative based on the research available at the time of its approval.

What About Europe? They are Always Stricter than the US!

While Red Dye 40 is permitted in the European Union, foods containing it must carry a label warning about potential effects on children's behavior. The U.S. does not require such warnings, reflecting differences in regulatory approaches.

When Does This Ban Take Effect?

That’s the issue, The FDA has set a compliance deadline for manufacturers to remove Red Dye No. 3 from food products by January 15, 2027, and from ingested drugs by January 18, 2028.

Should I be Concerned Right Now?

That said, like most things in life, it's all about moderation. Overindulgence in any ingredient, whether artificial or natural, can have consequences. If you're concerned about dyes, aim for balance in your diet by focusing on whole, minimally processed foods and using brightly colored treats as an occasional indulgence.

Author

Jeff has been in the fitness and supplement industry for almost 20 years. He is an avid bodybuilder and helps others with lifting techniques, as well as the best vitamins and supplements they should take for the goals they have. You can find him on LinkedIn and Youtube.

Jeff Moriarty