FDA bans red food dye due to potential cancer risk
Dr. Peter Lurie joins LiveNOW’s Christina Evans to break down the FDA’s announcement that it’s banning red dye No. 3 in food and drinks.
LOS ANGELES – The FDA unveiled a proposal Tuesday to require front-of-package nutrition labels on most packaged foods, a major step in combating chronic diseases.
The labels, called “Nutrition Info boxes,” will display simple, color-coded information about saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars, helping consumers make healthier choices.
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RELATED: FDA bans Red 3 food dye, citing cancer risk
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Officials hope this initiative, part of a broader effort to reduce diet-related diseases, will empower shoppers to better manage their health while encouraging food manufacturers to reformulate their products.
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What is the FDA proposing?
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What’s next:
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The FDA’s proposed rule would mandate the inclusion of a “Nutrition Info box” on the front of most packaged foods sold in the U.S. The labels will categorize the levels of saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars as “Low,” “Med,” or “High.”
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According to the FDA, these nutrients are directly linked to chronic diseases when consumed in excess. By simplifying access to this information, the agency aims to help consumers quickly assess a product’s healthfulness at a glance.
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Why is this important?
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Big picture view:
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Chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes are the leading causes of death in the U.S., accounting for 60% of all cases and $4.5 trillion in annual healthcare costs. The FDA views the proposed labels as a key tool in curbing the consumption of ultra-processed foods high in harmful nutrients.
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FDA Commissioner Robert M. Califf emphasized, “Adding front-of-package nutrition labeling to most packaged foods will make it easier for consumers to glance, grab and go.”
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What will this mean for manufacturers?
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The backstory:
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If finalized, the rule would require large companies to comply within three years, while smaller businesses would have an additional year. The FDA hopes the new labels will push manufacturers to create healthier products, similar to the impact of the agency’s recent sodium reduction targets.
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FILE – A picture taken on October 28, 2016 in a supermarket. (Photo by JEFF PACHOUD/AFP via Getty Images)
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Deputy Commissioner Jim Jones stated, “We hope manufacturers will reformulate products to be healthier in response to front-of-package nutrition labeling.”
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How does this fit into the bigger picture?
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Why you should care:
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The FDA says the proposal is part of the White House National Strategy on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health, aiming to reduce diet-related diseases by 2030. It builds on recent FDA initiatives like updated “healthy” claims and voluntary sodium reduction targets, creating a comprehensive approach to improving the U.S. food supply.
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