Consumer Reports Claims Popular Candy Sold in New Hampshire, Maine May Cause Cancer
Editor's note: This article was written by a Townsquare Media Northern New England contributor and may contain the individual's views, opinions, or personal experiences.
Fresh off one of the most popular candy holidays in the United States, Consumer Reports has released a troubling report that involves a candy most people have encountered in Maine and New Hampshire.
The company behind the popular marshmallow candy Peeps continues to use Red Dye No. 3 in some of their Easter-themed candy, despite the fact that it is a known carcinogen. Just Born Quality Confections is the company that makes Peeps, and while they've been notified about the carcinogen and urged to stop using it, no changes in their receipt or process have been made.
Years of studies have concluded that Red Dye No. 3 is a carcinogen that can cause cancer. One prevalently used in many different products, most companies have moved onto alternatives to color their products that don't include Red Dye No. 3. The dye was banned from use in cosmetics back in 1990, but remains allowed to use in food. Consumer Reports remains troubled and confused by that fact.
Unfortunately, it's not just Easter-themed Peeps that Just Born Quality Confections uses Red Dye No. 3 in. They use the dye in the following candy offerings:
- Hot Tamales candy
- Hot Tamales Marshmallow Chicks
- Party Cake Peeps
- Peeps Fruit Punch Marshmallow Chicks
- Peeps Lavender Marshmallow Bunnies
- Peeps Wildberry Marshmallow Bunnies
- Peeps Pink Marshmallow Bunnies
- Peeps Pink Marshmallow Chicks
Red Dye No. 3 has been linked to several other health issues besides cancer. Hyperactivity, nervous system damage, and other behavioral problems have been associated with the ingestion of Red Dye No. 3. The chemical is currently banned in all of Europe, and Consumer Reports continues to back a banning of the chemical in food in the state of California.