"The Delaney Clause is clear; the FDA cannot authorize a food additive or color additive if it has been found to cause cancer in humans or animals. Evidence shows cancer in laboratory male rats exposed to high levels of FD&C Red No.3," said Jim Jones, the FDA's deputy commissioner for human foods.

U.S. regulators on Wednesday banned the dye called Red 3 from the nation’s food supply, nearly 35 years after it was barred from cosmetics because of potential cancer risk.

The FDA announced on Wednesday that it has banned the use of Red No. 3, an additive used to give food and drinks a cherry-red color.