Maker of Peeps asked to change its ingredients

Scientists, lawmakers and consumer advocates are asking Just Born Quality Confections to stop using an ingredient that has been linked to cancer in animals in its popular Peeps candies.

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Yellow-colored Peeps are among the brand’s best-selling products, but some consumers are having issues with the pink and purple Peeps that have Red Dye No. 3 in them, according to CNN.

About 3,000 food products use Red Dye No. 3, according to the Food Scores database. The database was created by the nonprofit environmental health organization the Environmental Working Group, CNN reported.

In 2021, the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment found that eating the dye can lead to hyperactivity and behavior difficulties for children, according to CNN. A study in 2012 found that it can lead to cancer in animals, but so far there is no evidence it can cause cancer in humans.

In a news release Monday, the nonprofit consumer advocacy group Consumer Reports urged Just Born Quality Confections to stop using Red Dye No. 3 in Peeps.

“Parents should know that the purple and pink colored Peeps they may be putting in their kids’ Easter basket are made with an ingredient that is a known carcinogen,” said Michael Hansen, a senior staff scientist for Consumer Reports, in the news release. “Just Born Quality Confections should stop making its iconic marshmallow treats with this dangerous food chemical since other less risky alternatives are readily available.”

Red Dye No. 3 is also known as erythrosine and FD&C Red #3, according to the “Today” show. The Food and Drug Administration lists Red Dye No. 3 as one of its nine certified color additives in foods on the agency’s website, the “Today” show reported. Those foods include “confections, beverages, cereals, ice cream cones, frozen dairy desserts, popsicles, frostings & icings.”

“The color additive (Red Dye No. 3) is a certified color,” the FDA said in a statement to the “Today” show. “The FDA requires all color additives to be listed on product labels so that they can be identified by consumers. Consumers who wish to limit the amount of color additives in their diets may check the food ingredient list on labels.”

According to Consumer Reports, Red Dye No. 3 is used in Peeps Pink Marshmallow Chicks, Peeps Pink Marshmallow Bunnies, Peeps Lavender Marshmallow Chicks and Peeps Lavender Marshmallow Bunnies. Red Dye No. 3 is also found in other products made by the company, including Hot Tamales candy, Peeps Hot Tamales Marshmallow Chicks, Party Cake Peeps, Peeps Fruit Punch Marshmallow Chicks, and Peeps Wildberry Marshmallow Bunnies, according to the advocacy group.

Erythrosine is a chemical that helps treats like Peeps gets their bright colors, the AP reported. It’s marked as Red No. 3 on ingredient labels. Titanium dioxide is used to color other popular candies, such as Skittles and Hot Tamales, according to the AP.

Both erythrosine and titanium dioxide have been linked to cancer, the AP reported. Nearly three decades ago, Red No. 3 was banned from makeup.

“Red Dye No. 3 has been banned by the FDA from use in cosmetics since 1990, but inexplicably is still allowed in food,” Hansen said. “The widespread use of Red Dye 3 is particularly concerning since it is found in many products marketed to children who are especially at risk of developing health problems from exposure. It’s time for the FDA to protect public health by getting Red Dye 3 out of our food.”

A lawmaker in California wants to ban erythrosine and titanium dioxide in the state, along with three other chemicals that are used in tortillas and some sodas, according to the AP.

In a statement obtained by the AP, officials with Just Born Inc. said the company complies with FDA regulations and sources their “ingredients and packaging exclusively from reputable suppliers who adhere to high quality and safety standards.” They added that the company’s development team is exploring other options, “including colors derived form natural sources that can deliver the same visual impact and stability as their certified counterparts.”