Popular Candy Sold in Maine May Be Linked to Cancer

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has confirmed that an ingredient in this popular Pine Tree State candy may potentially cause cancer.

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As concerning as that sounds, first, we need to set some groundwork. What is the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and why does what they say matter?

The FDA is a federal agency of the United States Department of Health and Human Services. According to the mission statement on their website, they are "responsible for protecting the public health by ensuring the safety, efficacy, and security of human and veterinary drugs, biological products, and medical devices; and by ensuring the safety of our nation's food supply, cosmetics, and products that emit radiation."

Additionally, the FDA is also responsible for "advancing the public health by helping to speed innovations that make medical products more effective, safer, and more affordable, and by helping the public get the accurate, science-based information they need to use medical products and foods to maintain and improve their health."

Now, which popular candy sold in Maine may be linked to causing cancer?

According to a Consumer Affairs report published in April 2023, additional reports have expressed concern about the safety of Easter staple candies like PEEPS, due to the presence of 'Red Dye 3,' a known carcinogen.

The FDA has evidence suggesting it can cause cancer in laboratory animals, and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has linked it to DNA damage in human breast cancer cells. Despite being banned in products like lipsticks, 'Red Dye 3' is still widely used in popular candies such as PEEPS, prompting calls from various organizations for its removal from the list of approved food color additives.

The FDA and NIH have raised alarms about the safety of 'Red Dye 3' due to its potential carcinogenic properties and DNA-damaging abilities.

In another April 2023 report, Just Born Quality Confections, the manufacturer of PEEPS, pushed back against the report, stating:

(Red Dye 3) is currently an approved colorant for use in candy by the FDA. We manufacture all our candies in compliance with FDA regulations, sourcing our ingredients and packaging exclusively from reputable suppliers who adhere to high quality and safety standards.

In October 2023, Just Born Quality Confections walked back their stance, stating that:

For Easter 2024, of all our PEEPS offerings, two colors will contain (Red Dye 3) – Pink and Lavender. All Just Born products, including Pink and Lavender PEEPS, comply with FDA guidelines and use only FD&C certified color. HOT TAMALES no longer contain (Red Dye 3). You will begin to see the updated ingredient list on store shelves in the coming months.

And continued by indicating that it will no longer use Red Dye 3 in any of its products after Easter 2024.