Nader Group’s Suit Asks Court to Ban 10 Dyes
WASHINGTON — A consumer group asked a federal court Tuesday to order the Food and Drug Administration to remove 10 widely used food, drug and cosmetic dyes from the market to protect public health.
Public Citizen, a consumer lobbying group begun by activist Ralph Nader, filed the lawsuit against the FDA in U.S. District Court here, alleging the agency has abused its discretion in taking 24 years to decide whether the dyes are safe.
The FDA still has not issued its decision, although the 1960 food dyes law required a ruling by January, 1963. The FDA has issued a long string of deadline extensions, the most recent from December, 1984, to February, 1985.
Can Cause Cancer
Public Citizen said the dyes are “too dangerous for continued use by the public†because they are known to cause cancer. The FDA staff early last year recommended a ban on six of the 10 dyes.
Three of the 10 dyes are food dyes and account for more than half of all food dyes consumed in the United States, Public Citizen said. They are Red No. 3, used in candy and baked goods; Yellow No. 5, used in pet food, beverages and baked goods; and Yellow No. 6, used in beverages, candy and desserts.
The remaining seven are used in drugs and cosmetics--Red Nos. 8, 9, 19, 33, 36 and 37 and Orange No. 17.
There was no immediate comment from the FDA.
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