Why We Are Removing Red 3 Early

As most of you know, the FDA’s compliance deadline is January 15, 2027 for those that use Red 3 in food products. What many may not realize is that meaningful reformulation does not begin on that date. It needs to begin long before it.

When one ingredient changes, everything around it can change as well. Color intensity. Vibrancy. Performance. And consistency.

That is why we chose to begin this transition now. Not because the deadline is soon, but because creating colors our customers can trust takes time.

What the rule says

On January 15, 2025, the FDA issued an order revoking the authorization for the use of FD&C Red No. 3 in food and ingested drugs. The agency established a compliance date of January 15, 2027 for food manufacturers.

Beginning January 15, 2027, food products introduced into commerce may not contain FD&C Red No. 3. This applies to businesses of every size that manufacture food products for sale.

The states are moving faster than the federal deadline

This is the part most decorators may not be aware of, and it is the part that will reach you first. Food-additive bills introduced in state legislatures:

California banned Red 3 statewide before the FDA acted, effective January 1, 2027. West Virginia passed the first broad state ban covering seven synthetic dyes scheduled for 2028, however, its school provisions are already in force. Texas took a different approach. Rather than banning ingredients, it enacted a warning-label law for certain food products. The law applies to food product labels developed or copyrighted on or after January 1, 2027.

The FDA has also announced a voluntary initiative with industry to encourage the replacement of six additional synthetic food dyes over the coming years. Unlike Red 3, those colors have not had their authorizations revoked. 

What it means if you sell

If you ship across state lines, the practical answer has already arrived. Businesses selling nationally should be aware that state requirements are becoming increasingly complex alongside evolving regulations. That is the real reason to begin exploring alternatives to synthetic food colors now rather than in 2027. 

our removal of red 3

The Sugar Art is voluntarily discontinuing all products containing FD&C Red No. 3 ahead of the FDA's January 15, 2027 compliance deadline. 

Affected formulas will remain available only through August 31, 2026, or while supplies last. Effective September 1, 2026, all remaining products containing FD&C Red No. 3 will be permanently discontinued and removed from our website.

Many of the customers I have served over the past 30 years produce food products that are sold to the public. Because of that, I believe it's my responsibility as a manufacturer to help them prepare for this transition. That's why I have made the decision to voluntarily phase out every product containing FD&C Red No. 3 ahead of the FDA's compliance deadline.

If you choose to purchase products containing FD&C Red No. 3, I encourage you to keep the upcoming regulatory changes in mind.

For complete ingredient information, including a list of all The Sugar Art colors containing Red No. 3, please click the button below or review the Ingredient Information on every individual product description.

COLOR INGREDIENT SPREADSHEET (click here)

Where we are going

Some of our existing colors will return in new formulations. Some will require months of development. Others may not be possible to recreate to the standards we have always held ourselves to. And that is okay.

Which is why I continue to state how important natural colors really are for the future of this industry. I began testing nearly two years ago, and kept testing, until I had something I could be proud of.

A final note from ed frys, owner

For more than three decades, you've trusted me with your creativity, your celebrations, and your businesses. Because of that trust, I share this information with you and this industry that I love. 

If you've been with me for a while, you know that The Sugar Art has never been just a business to me. It has been my life's work for more than 30 years. Every color I've created has been driven by one goal—to give decorators and bakers the very best products I know how to make.

But now it is time for the next chapter.

So - Effective September 1st, 2026, I will be voluntarily removing every product containing FD&C Red No. 3 from The Sugar Art website, ahead of the regulatory changes.

Making this change now allows me to dedicate my time and energy to reformulating many of our existing synthetic colors while continuing to invest in the future of natural food colors.

Some of these reformulations are already underway. Others will take time. And the truth is, a few colors may simply not be possible to recreate to the standards I expect. 

Many of the colors containing Red No. 3 have been part of our story for years. Saying goodbye to them isn't easy. But I also believe that adapting, learning, and continuing to innovate is part of what has allowed The Sugar Art to serve this incredible community for so long.

Again, the affected colors will remain available through August 31st, 2026, or until they sell out—whichever comes first. On September 1st, 2026, every affected product will be removed from our website. Once they're gone, they will be permanently discontinued as I move forward with this transition.

I know change isn't always easy, and I truly appreciate your patience as I work through this next chapter. Your encouragement, messages, and support have meant more to me than you'll ever know—especially over these past two years.

Thank you for believing in what I do and for allowing The Sugar Art to be a small part of your creativity.

With sincere gratitude,