Mexico to Phase Out Red 3 Food Dye Following Civil Society Advocacy

Civil organizations in Mexico are celebrating the Ministry of Health's decision to gradually eliminate the synthetic food coloring erythrosine, commonly known as Red 3. The move, spearheaded by groups like El Poder del Consumidor, is hailed as a significant step forward for public health and consumer rights.

The regulation provides a 24-month period for companies to adjust their product formulations and remove the chemical. This decision follows a recent analysis by Mexico's Federal Commission for the Protection against Sanitary Risks (Cofepris) and its Scientific Council. Their findings indicated that Mexicans' exposure to Red 3 exceeds the Acceptable Daily Intake (IDA) established by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) by more than double.

Cofepris also identified that the industry was using Red 3 in products heavily consumed by children, such as gelatin and pudding powders, chewing gum, gummies, and candies, categories not previously covered by existing regulations. This wider application raised particular concern.

The stance taken by Mexican associations mirrors recent actions in the European Union and the United States, which have also revoked authorizations for the additive. Despite this progress, Dr. Jorge Vargas, a researcher at El Poder del Consumidor, cautioned that the gradual elimination of Red 3 should be seen as a starting point for a broader review of food additives, rather than a final solution.

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The gradual elimination of Red 3 is a positive measure, but it should not be seen as the end of the problem, but as the beginning of a broader review.