The FDA prohibits the use of any food additive or color additive that has been shown to cause cancer in humans or animals. Two studies have shown red dye no. 3 in high levels can cause cancer in male rats, so the FDA is now revoking the authorization of the additive.

"The other problem with red dye is in some children, it may lead to hyperactivity," Dr. Nola Jean Earnest of Enterprise Pediatric Clinic said.

She says banning red dye is not enough to combat these issues.

"This ban, while a helpful tool because it will decrease some unnecessary products in food, doesn't really go far enough, and probably will not make a huge difference in the diet of most children," Dr. Ernest said.

She believes the true enemy is ultra-processed foods.

"What we recommend for children with behavior problems, and really for all children, is that we try to consume fewer highly processed or ultra-processed foods, and stick to more whole foods so that we can avoid some of these compounds," she said.

Though the FDA has given companies two years to phase out the use of red dye No. 3, there are steps parents can take right now.

"Looking for products that contain natural food dyes or no food dyes at all, or simply by making a shift as a family to choosing more foods that you can make at home, or that grow in nature," Dr. Ernest said, are good ways to improve a child's diet.

While some other countries do still allow for some uses of red dye No. 3, all foods imported into the U.S. must comply with U.S. regulations.