Red Dye No. 3, or erythrosine, is making headlines with California looking to ban it along with four other toxic food additives.
Derived from petroleum, the synthetic red dye is responsible for giving many ultra-processed foods and drinks their bright colors and boasts a long list of uses—from candies and sodas to cereals and protein shakes. Several National Institute of Health studies have shown prolonged consumption of the dye to be carcinogenic in lab rats and it is linked to hyperactivity in children and impaired thyroid function. 
According to the Environmental Working Group, more than 3,000 food and drink items contain Red Dye No. 3, including many that don’t appear red in color. Products like sprinkles, cookies, frosting, ice cream, toaster pastries, and power bars all contain the dye, along with certain medications like cough syrup, supplements, vitamin gummies, and attention deficit disorder medicine….