THE RED 3 TRANSITION: IS YOUR BUSINESS READY FOR 2027?
Red 3 Transition Resource
The FDA's January 15, 2027 deadline is approaching.
Here's what your business needs to know and how
Chefmaster is ready to help.
The food industry is approaching an important
regulatory milestone. With the FDA's Red 3 deadline
just around the corner, bakeries, food manufacturers,
and other food businesses should be taking steps to
ensure their ingredients and products are ready.
At Chefmaster, we've been working ahead of this
transition to help our customers continue creating
with confidence. From updated Liqua-gel®
formulations to 13 exciting new colors, we're ready
to support your next steps.
In January 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
(FDA) announced the revocation of its authorization
for FD&C Red No. 3, also known as erythrosine,
in food and ingested drugs.
Red 3 has historically been used in various food
products, including candies, baked goods, frostings,
icings, and other confections.
Under the new federal requirements, food manufacturers
must discontinue its use in food products by
January 15, 2027.
Key Compliance Deadline
California’s Food Safety Act (AB 418) restricts Red 3 and propylparaben, among other ingredients, in food covered by law.
Key Compliance Deadline
FDA deadline for manufacturers to reformulate
food products containing FD&C Red No. 3.
Rules can vary by product and jurisdiction. For the official federal action, see the FDA Red 3 information. This page is general information, not legal advice.
Whether you're running a local bakery or managing
large-scale food production, now is the time to
confirm that your ingredients and color solutions
are ready for the transition.
Here are five important steps to consider:
Check food colors and other
ingredients to identify products containing
FD&C Red No. 3 and, where relevant, propylparaben.
Confirm which products may be affected, what
alternatives are available, and whether any
formulation changes are needed.
Explore updated food coloring formulations
that meet your color requirements and
intended applications.
When switching formulations, test colors in
your specific recipes and production processes
to confirm the shades and results you need.
Review inventory, purchasing needs, and
production timelines to help avoid
last-minute disruptions.
Our team is available to help answer questions
about updated formulations and available alternatives.
At Chefmaster, we understand that color consistency,
quality, and reliability matter to your business.
That's why we've taken proactive steps to prepare
our Liqua-gel® food coloring lineup for the
Red 3 transition.
Our updated lineup includes:
While some shades may have slight differences in
hue or brightness, our focus remains on delivering
dependable color performance for your baking
and decorating applications.
With these updates already in place, customers
can begin exploring their options now rather
than waiting until the deadline.
As part of our updated lineup, we're excited
to introduce 13 new Liqua-gel® shades
formulated without Red 3.
From soft pinks and delicate purples to rich,
bold tones, these new additions expand the
creative possibilities available to our customers.
Whether you're updating your existing color
selection or exploring something new, our
expanded lineup offers more options to bring
your products to life.
We're Ready to Help
The Red 3 transition is an important change
for the food industry, but you don't have
to navigate it alone.
Chefmaster has already taken steps to prepare,
and our team is ready to help you move forward
with confidence.
Whether you have questions about existing
colors, updated formulations, or available
alternatives, we're here to support you.
Have questions about the Red 3 transition?
We've answered some common questions to help
your business prepare with confidence.
Chefmaster has reformulated its food color
portfolio without Red 3 and parabens.
Some retailers may still have older inventory,
so always check the ingredient list on
the package you purchase.
No. A food color made without Red 3 can
still contain other permitted synthetic
color additives, such as Red 40 or Blue 1.
If you're looking for naturally derived
color sources, explore Chefmaster's
Natural Food Colors line.
Not always. Some previous shades depended
on Red 3 for their tone or intensity.
New shades in similar color families may
look different, so start with a small batch
and adjust the amount gradually.
Check the package ingredient list.
The updated formulas do not list
FD&C Red No. 3 (erythrosine)
or ingredients ending in "-paraben."
If your existing labels list ingredients
from an older formula, review and update
them to reflect the ingredients in the
formula you now use.
Consult a qualified regulatory advisor
if you need help determining your
labeling obligations.
Home use and commercial food sales are
different situations. Businesses should
review their inventory and the rules
that apply to food they manufacture,
sell, or distribute.
California's deadline is
January 1, 2027,
and the federal food deadline is
January 15, 2027.
The FDA's Red 3 revocation is distinct
from its request that industry voluntarily
phase out several other synthetic dyes.
"No Red 3" does not mean "free of all
artificial dyes." Check individual
product ingredients.
Yes. Business customers can contact
Chefmaster Customer Service to request
available specification sheets,
safety data sheets, certificates of
analysis, and compliance documents.
Shop the
Chefmaster No Red 3 collection
or purchase through authorized distributors.
Check each product page for available
shades and sizes.
Whether you're reviewing your current
colors, exploring alternatives, or
requesting product information,
our team is ready to assist.
The Red 3 Transition:
The rules are changing. We are ready.
UNDERSTANDING THE CHANGE
What's Changing With Red 3?
5 Ways To Prepare Your Business
Review Your Current Ingredients
Connect With Your Suppliers
Evaluate Your Color Options
Test Before You Transition
Make Your Transition Plan
Need Help Transitioning Your Current Colors?
Chefmaster Is Ready And We're Here to Help.
Discover 13 New Liqua-gel® Colors
Your Next Chapter in Color Starts Here
Frequently Asked Questions
Are all Chefmaster food colors now made without Red 3?
Does "No Red 3" mean the colors are natural?
Will the new colors look exactly like my previous shades?
How can I tell whether I have an updated formula?
Do I need to update the ingredient labels
on products I sell?
Can I still use the food colors I already own?
Are Red 40 and other artificial dyes banned too?
Can I request product specifications
or other documents?
Where can I buy the updated colors?
Still Have Questions? We're Here to Help.
