Following the ban of red dye No. 3 in the United States, experts weigh in on the potential health risks of red dye No. 40, yellow dye No. 5 and others.

For decades, FD&C Red No. 3 has added its vivid cherry-red hue to candies and cupcakes—but its risks have been debated just as long.

While color and other aesthetics enhance the enjoyment of foods and drinks, natural color sources — like beet juice, red cabbage and radishes — are risk-free alternatives, Dilley said. So are anthocyanins, pigments naturally found in berries that give them their red, purple and blue hues, Ventrelle added.