FDA bans artificial food coloring Red No. 3, often used in candy and drinks

The Food and Drug Administration announced Wednesday that it will ban the use of Red No. 3, which is often found in candy and drinks.

The dye has been linked to cancer in animals, according to NBC News.

The dye is also often used in cereal, fruit cocktails and strawberry-flavored milkshakes.

Multiple health advocates have pushed for years to have the dye removed from the U.S. food supply, and the FDA had indicated recently that the agency would ban it, as other countries have. 

"The FDA cannot authorize a food additive or color additive if it has been found to cause cancer in humans or animals," the FDA's deputy director for human foods, Jim Jones said. "Evidence shows cancer in laboratory male rats exposed to high levels of FD&C Red No. 3."

Red Dye No. 3 is made from petroleum and was approved for use in 1907.