Cancer Causing Agent In North Dakota Easter Baskets In 2025

Easter baskets in North Dakota should be a little safer this year.

Did you even know that just a short time ago, many different types of candy sold in North Dakota could cause cancer? (One is very popular in Easter baskets)

It was actually the food coloring in these and other candies that were the cancer-causing agent. This carsonigen is known as Red 3, which was also labeled Red Dye Number 3, which is a synthetic food coloring.

Red 3 has been outlawed in so many countries, but it took America a long time to wake up.

It was just banned on January 15th, 2025. However, keep in mind that manufacturers still have until January 15th, 2027, to change the formula for their products containing it. So read your labels, as some Easter candy will likely still contain Red 3. This is according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest.

You should be safe with one of the most popular Easter candies; however, PEEPS has removed Red 3.

According to ABC27, the Pennsylvainia company that manufactures PEEPS says they removed it once and for all.

Thankfully, I have never been much of a PEEPS candy guy. To me, it's one of the nastiest candies out there. It's like sugary rubber, in my opinion. YUCK!

Yep, we sure seem to love our candy and sugar in North Dakota, and America for that matter.  We go from one candy season to the next.  Halloween, Christmas, Valentine's Day, and now the Easter season.

In case you didn't know already, sugar is not good for us. 

There's nothing wrong with a bowl of ice cream now and then or a sliver of that birthday cake, but health officials will tell you to keep sugar in check by consuming sugar in moderation.

Here's a little more background on Red 3 and why you should be looking for it.

According to another article from The Center For Science In The Public Interest, Red 3 is present in hundreds of not only candies but also cakes and other foods.  That's why it's important to read the labels at the grocery stores and convenience stores before you buy.  What's scary is that you can even find Red 3 in so-called healthy food products like fruit cocktails containing cherries.

The article also states that a search of Food Scores, a database of brand name food products that contain Red 3, was at a whopping 3,183 food items.  YIKES. Again, be sure to read the ingredients before you buy to keep your children safe.

Happy Easter, everyone.