Recently, the FDA announced a ban on the use of FD&C Red No. 3 (erythrosine) in food and ingested drugs due to its association with cancer in animal studies. Manufacturers have until January 15, 2027, to reformulate food products to comply with this new regulation. This decision underscores the importance of providing clean-label alternatives that align with regulatory and consumer demands.
When it comes to replacing Red 3 in your formulations, the good news is that Skidmore Sales has you covered. With growing consumer demand for clean-label and naturally derived ingredients, we understand the need to stay ahead of regulatory shifts and reformulation challenges. That’s why we’ve partnered with a broad network of suppliers offering a wide range of label-friendly alternatives to Red 3 so you can meet your project goals without compromising on quality or functionality.
Our extensive clean label ingredient portfolio includes natural colorants like Beet extract, anthocyanins from purple carrots and lycopene from tomatoes among many others. Formulating with these ingredients can present a technical challenge so our team members are ready to support you throughout formulation process. We partner with the industry’s top food ingredient manufacturers and have the expertise and ingredients perfect for replacing Red 3.
Possible alternatives to Red 3 include:
- Beet Juice Powder – A natural source of vibrant red hues, perfect for beverages, confections, and baked goods.
- Red Cabbage Extract – Offers a stable, label-friendly color option for applications requiring pH-dependent color shifts.
- Paprika Extract – Provides a rich red-orange shade, ideal for savory applications and snacks.
- Carrot Juice Concentrate – A clean-label, mildly sweet colorant suitable for various food and beverage uses.
- Anthocyanins from Berries – Derived from fruits like elderberries or blackcurrants, delivering rich red-purple tones.
When you’re looking for vibrant hues, stability in processing, and clean-label transparency, our team of experts can guide you to the ideal solution for your needs.
At Skidmore Sales, we’re more than just an ingredient distributor—we’re your partners in innovation. Our sales team are technically trained food scientists with years of experience in R&D settings. We can consult on the most challenging reformulations to identify the ideal solutions for your unique applications. Additionally, we have many success stories that demonstrate our ability to help customers find the ideal ingredients and have them on hand when and where they need them. You can explore some of these success stories here: https://skidmoresales.com/resources/success-stories/.
Ready to explore your options? Contact your Skidmore Sales representative today to get started. Together, we’ll find the perfect solution to elevate your products and meet the demands of today’s marketplace.
