FDA recalls Golden Crop Candy for containing banned ingredients

USA – The USA Food and Drug Administration (FDA), a federal agency responsible for protecting public health by ensuring food safety, has issued a recall for Golden Crop Candy because it contains banned colours, specifically Blue 1, Red 40 and Acid Red 18.

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the recall was initiated on March 5, 2025, by Blooming Import Inc.

Golden Crop Candy, which was imported from China by New York-based Blooming Import Inc, was found to contain Acid Red 18 as a colourant.

Acid Red 18 is mainly used in manufacturing for dying materials such as leather, plastic, wood, medicine, and cosmetics has been banned in the USA, with studies linking it to hyperactivity and cancer.

The candies were also found to contain the dyes Blue 1 and Red 40, which are on the FDA’s list of approved additives, but they were not listed on the product label.

The recall is classified as Class II, indicating a low risk of serious health consequences, though temporary or reversible effects may occur. As of the posting of this recall, no illnesses have been reported in connection with this issue.

The FDA notes that some individuals might have allergies to colour additives and therefore, they should be clearly labelled on products.

FDA eliminates petroleum-based dyes from USA food supply

Recently, the FDA announced a series of new measures to phase out all petroleum-based synthetic dyes from the nation’s food supply.

The FDA is establishing a national standard and timeline for the food industry’s transition from petrochemical-based dyes to natural alternatives.

Within the coming months, the FDA will initiate the process to revoke authorisation for two synthetic food colourings—Citrus Red No. 2 and Orange B.

The department is also working with industries to eliminate six remaining synthetic dyes —FD&C Green No. 3, FD&C Red No. 40, FD&C Yellow No. 5, FD&C Yellow No. 6, FD&C Blue No. 1, and FD&C Blue No. 2 —from the food supply by the end of next year.

Additionally, the department will authorise four new natural colour additives in the coming weeks and accelerate the review and approval of others.

It will partner with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to conduct comprehensive research on the impact of food additives on children’s health and development.

Lastly, it has requested that food companies remove FD&C Red No. 3 sooner than the previously required 2027-2028 deadline.

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