Why We Are Removing Red 3 Early

As most of you know, the FDA's compliance deadline for FD&C Red No. 3 is January 15, 2027. Beginning on that date, newly manufactured food products introduced into commerce may no longer contain FD&C Red No. 3.

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. Beginning January 15, 2027, food manufacturers may no longer introduce newly manufactured food products containing FD&C Red No. 3 into commerce. Products manufactured before that date may continue to be sold while existing inventories are depleted.

STATE regulations are evolving

This is the part most decorators may not be aware of. Food-additive bills introduced in state legislatures:

In addition to the FDA's nationwide regulatory changes, several states have enacted their own food color laws. Some of these laws take effect before the federal compliance deadline, while others regulate additional synthetic colors or require specific labeling.

The examples below are intended as a general summary only and are not a comprehensive review of each state's requirements. Please review the official legislative websites for the most current and complete information.

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. Its school provisions are already in effect, while the broader retail ban is paused in court pending appeal. 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.

our removal of red 3 & WHY

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

This is why I continue to state how important natural colors 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.

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, but testing stability does take time.

Many of the colors containing Red No. 3 have been part of our story for years. 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,