Red 3
An artificial red dye (erythrosine). High doses caused thyroid tumors in male rats, and under the food law clause that bans additives shown to cause cancer in animals, the US FDA revoked its authorization for food and ingested drugs in January 2025, with food manufacturers required to reformulate by January 2027. The FDA says there is no evidence it causes cancer in humans; dyes are unnecessary in pet food anyway.
Other common names: Erythrosine, FD&C Red No. 3, 食用紅色3號, エリスロシン
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Sources: ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine, veterinary literature.
For reference only, not medical advice. If poisoning is suspected, seek veterinary care immediately.