T he U.S. Food and Drug Administration has banned the use of red dye No. 3 in foods, more than three decades after researchers discovered its link to cancer in rodents and to worsened attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder and other behavioral symptoms. The dye is already banned from foods in the European Union, New Zealand and Australia.

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.

Bright-red Valentine’s Day candy hearts, strawberry-flavored ice pops and yogurt, some maraschino cherries, nutrition shakes, cough syrups and gummy vitamins — these are just some of the items that contain the synthetic food coloring Red 3,