This Popular Candy Sold in Maine May Cause Cancer

Why is it that pretty much everything that tastes good is typically bad for the body? For example, wouldn't it be wonderful if we could go to the local Maine fair and gorge ourselves on ribbon fries and cotton candy and somehow at the end of it all we'd have lower blood sugar and a smaller waistline? Sadly, that's never the case.

Over the last several years, there has been additional scrutiny placed on foods and food brands that used less-than-healthy ingredients in their mass-produces items. This is primarily because new science is showing us that some of the most common food additives are actually not all that safe.

For the last few years, growing concern over the food coloring additive red dye #3 has had scientists and consumer reports alike sounding the alarm. According to Consumer Reports, red dye #3 is classified as a carcinogen and has shown to cause an array of different cancers in animal testing.

For many food brands across America, they have already discontinued the use of the controversial additive, but for some, like the manufacturer of the incredibly popular Peeps candies, they have not... yet.

As calls for the popular brand to discontinue the use of red dye #3 have grown, so to have laws around the country that will eventually ban its use. The state of California recently passed a law that, beginning in 2027, will ban the use of red dye #3 in all products manufactured and sold in the state.

However, it's not all bad news when it comes to marshmallow Peeps as the company said it will continue to use Red Dye #3 through Easter of 2024, but will be moving away from the deadly additive after the 2024 holiday is over.

Brian Ronholm, director of food policy at Consumer Reports, said in a statement,

“We’ve known for years that Red Dye 3 and the other toxic chemicals banned under California’s landmark pose serious risks to our health,” said . “The widespread use of Red Dye #3 is particularly concerning since it is found in many products marketed to children who are especially at risk of developing health problems from exposure. We applaud Just Born for removing Red Dye #3 from PEEPS before the California law goes into effect in 2027 and urge other companies to do the same.”

Just Born, the parent company of the popular Peeps brand said in part,

“For Easter 2024, of all our PEEPS® offerings, two colors will contain Red #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 contains Red #3. You will begin to see the updated ingredient list on store shelves in the coming months.”