Peeps Candy Maker Removes Red Dye 3 Amid State Bans and Federal Food Dye Debate

Peeps, marshmallow candies shaped like chicks and bunnies, are a seasonal product associated with Easter and spring holidays in the United States. Produced by Just Born Quality Confections, these candies are coated in synthetic colors derived from petroleum.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) last reviewed the safety of these dyes in the 1960s, 1970s, or 1980s, depending on the specific color.

In 2023, California enacted Assembly Bill 418, which prohibits the sale of foods containing certain synthetic dyes, including Red Dye 3. Just Born committed to removing Red Dye 3 from Peeps shortly after the law's passage and completed the reformulation by 2024.

According to Scott Faber, senior vice president at the Environmental Working Group, Just Born acted faster than other candy companies in response to the requirement.

A February 2026 Curion survey of over 19,000 U.S. consumers revealed mixed sentiments toward Peeps: 24.2% love them, 23.3% like them, 17.4% do not like them, and 8.1% hate them. Among more than 8,000 consumers surveyed on purchase motivations, 32.9% cited holiday tradition, 28.4% mentioned use as basket fillers or gifts, 23.4% referenced nostalgia, and 25.2% bought them for family members who enjoy them.

These findings indicate that purchases are driven more by ritual than personal consumption.

In April 2023, Consumer Reports noted that pink and purple Peeps contained Red Dye 3, a synthetic color linked to cancer in rat studies and banned from cosmetics since 1990 but permitted in food. Yellow Peeps currently contain Yellow 5, and blue ones contain Blue 1. These dyes contribute to the candies' neon appearance, which is part of their brand identity.

The Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) initiative, led by U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. , has identified synthetic food dyes as a public health concern. However, Faber stated that the FDA has not banned any food chemicals under this administration as of the latest reports.

State actions in California, West Virginia, Louisiana, and Texas have established restrictions that food industry leaders view as a baseline standard.

Faber noted that companies are unlikely to produce region-specific product versions, leading other states to consider similar laws. Without federal mandates, changes remain voluntary at the national level. The debate highlights tensions between state-driven regulations and the need for uniform FDA guidelines to address potential health risks from food additives.