Final signature count: 7,540

7,540 signatures toward our 30,000 goal

As Easter approaches, parents around the country are stocking up on candy-filled baskets and chocolate eggs for their children. However, there’s one popular Easter candy that has parents concerned: Peeps. These sugar-coated marshmallow candies, shaped like bunnies and chicks, contain an ingredient called Red Dye 3¹. This ingredient has been labeled as a known carcinogen by the National Institutes of Health, causing concern among parents about the safety of the candy.

We are calling on Just Born, Inc., the parent company of Peeps, to remove Red Dye 3 from its products and commit to using safer and healthier colorants.

Red Dye 3 is a petroleum and coal tar-based additive used to give food and drinks a pink or red color. It has been banned in cosmetics in the U.S. due to its potential health risks. The National Institutes of Health has found that Red Dye 3 causes cancer in animals and there is evidence that other dyes are also carcinogenic².

Peeps has several flavors that contain Red Dye 3, including Pink Marshmallow Chicks and Bunnies, Lavender Marshmallow Chicks and Bunnies, Hot Tamales Marshmallow Chicks, Party Cake Peeps, Fruit Punch Marshmallow Chicks, and Wildberry Marshmallow Bunnies³.

Just Born has stated that Red Dye 3 is currently an approved colorant for use in candy by the FDA. However, the company has said that it is open to changing the colorants of its products, including Peeps, to safer and healthier alternatives should it become a viable option for them to take⁴.

There are several natural colorants that can be used in place of Red Dye 3, including Beet juice, Carrot juice, Spirulina extract, Paprika oleoresin, and Purple sweet potato⁵.

Parents are concerned about the ingredients in their children’s food, and Peeps with Red Dye 3 is no exception.

The time for action is now. As consumers, we have the power to make our voices heard and demand safer products for ourselves and our families. By signing our petition to Just Born, Inc., we can show our support for the removal of Red Dye 3 from Peeps and other candies.

Let’s celebrate Easter safely. The presence of Red Dye 3 in Peeps is a serious concern for parents and health-conscious consumers alike. As we prepare to celebrate Easter, let us not forget the importance of choosing safe and healthy food options for our loved ones.

Sign the petition to Just Born, Inc. today and help make a difference in the safety and well-being of our families. Together, we can demand better from companies that make our food and create a safer, healthier future for generations to come.