Media Contact: Meredith Huddle
[email protected]
202-293-5800
September 12, 2023
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The International Association of Color Manufacturers (IACM) is committed to upholding the highest safety standards for colors used in consumer products, which are thoroughly evaluated and subject to strict global regulatory requirements. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires a rigorous scientific pre-approval process and continuous monitoring to ensure the safety of colors used in food and other regulated products.
California Assembly Bill 418 would ban the use of FD&C Red No. 3, a safely used color additive, unnecessarily overriding established safety standards. No regulatory authority, including FDA, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), and the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA), has found credible safety concerns with FD&C Red No. 3 and maintains it is safe for use in food.
Actions like California’s AB 418 are not based on sound scientific assessments and undermine established regulations that have long ensured food safety. FDA is currently re-evaluating FD&C Red No. 3, and IACM supports its rigorous review process and awaits any new evidence-backed conclusions from FDA and other leading regulatory bodies.