With Ramadan just around the corner, Muslims everywhere are gearing up for those lavish iftars. And what's an iftar without a refreshing glass of pink milk made with Rooh Afza? However, Muslim Americans might be in for a disappointment if their local halal market is no longer stocking the beloved syrup. As of September 2024, both red dyes used in the American and Pakistani versions of Rooh Afza have been banned in California. Furthermore, the FDA has already banned one and is considering banning the other at the federal level.
What's the Deal with Red 3 and Red 40?
Red Dye 3 (Red 3) and Red Dye 40 (Red 40) are everywhere such as candies, baked goods, sodas, cereals, snacks, sports drinks, processed foods, and even medications. The American version of Rooh Afza contains Red 40, while the Pakistani version, often imported into the U.S., contains Red 3.
Red 3 has been flagged as a potential carcinogen and has been linked to hyperactivity and behavioral issues in children. Red 40, while also controversial, has less concrete evidence tying it to cancer in humans. However, studies strongly link it to ADHD, hyperactivity, and other behavioral concerns in children. Many people report gut inflammation and sensitivities associated with both Red 3 and Red 40, and ongoing research is investigating these potential health risks.
Red 3 and Red 40 are already banned in the EU. Red 3 is banned in the UK, while Red 40 is restricted and requires warning labels. Both are also banned in China, which has historically maintained stricter food regulations than many other countries. Some American food manufacturers have already phased out these dyes to comply with EU regulations.
When Will the Ban Take Effect?
In California, Red 3 was banned under the California Food Safety Act (AB 418), while Red 40 was banned under Assembly Bill 2316, also known as the California School Food Safety Act. However, neither ban will take effect until 2027, so if you're in California, you might want to start a large stockpile of Rooh Afza while you still can.
At the federal level, the FDA still considers Red 40 safe. However, as of January 15, 2025, Red 3 has been officially banned, and American food manufacturers have until January 15, 2027, to remove it from their products. The FDA is currently reviewing the safety of Red 40 but has not provided a timeline for its decision.
Could Trump Save Rooh Afza?
President Trump has repeatedly expressed his desire to roll back government regulations, including those imposed by the FDA, the agency responsible for banning or approving food additives like Red 3 and Red 40. While Trump may not have a specific stance on Red 40, his broader push to cut budgets and personnel at regulatory agencies could mean the FDA might lack the resources to complete its review, potentially allowing Red 40 to remain on the market.
Most experts believe Trump is unlikely to reverse the ban on Red 3. However, given his unpredictable nature and tendency to pick up issues unexpectedly, it's difficult to say for sure. One thing seems certain, if Rooh Afza remains on U.S. store shelves, it might be due to Trump's broader battle against the FDA rather than an intentional effort to save the syrup.
Conclusion
So, will this be the last Ramadan with Rooh Afza in the U.S.? It's unlikely given that both bans in California of Red 3 & 40 and the FDA ban of Red 3 don't go into effect until 2027 and it's unclear if Red 40 will ever be banned by the FDA. So for now, enjoy that sweet syrupy pink milk this upcoming Ramadan!
Lastly...
If you made it this far, thanks for reading. This article isn't sponsored by anyone and we're currently losing money on every article, but if you want to support the work we're doing and enjoy lighthearted news then follow us on IG and consider using this affiliate link if you want to buy some Rooh Afza for this Ramadan.
