Popular Candy Sold in Louisiana May Be Linked to Cancer

Peter Cottontail will soon be hoppin' down the bunny trail with baskets full of delicious candy. However, according to a new report recently released, Ole Cottontail might want to back off certain colors of a popular Louisiana Easter treat.

Why Do We Eat Candy For Easter?

The tradition of giving candy at Easter is partly derived from the end of Lent, a period of fasting or giving up certain types of foods, which for many includes sweets.

Easter marks the end of Lent, and it has become a time for indulging in the sweets that were abstained from, with candy being a common way to celebrate.

Easter candy is linked to the Easter egg, which has symbolized rebirth and new life for thousands of years, dating back to pre-Christian spring festivals.

From chocolate Easter eggs, jelly beans, chocolate Easter bunnies, Cadbury Creme Eggs, to the always polarizing marshmallow Peeps, Easter candy is looked forward to by kids and adults alike.

Now, about those marshmallow Peeps...

Marshmallow Peeps Red Dye No. 3

According to Consumer Reports, there are several varieties of Peeps marshmallow candies containing a known carcinogen. The ingredient is Red Dye No. 3.

Early in 2023 Consumer Reports called on the manufacturer of Peeps, Just Born Quality Confections, to stop making Peeps that contain Red Dye No. 3, the cancer-causing dye.

Consumerreports.org reports "the company has not announced any plans to change its manufacturing process."

If you're a Peeps fan, take a deep breath. All hope is not yet lost.

Not all marshmallow Peeps contain the Red Dye 3 cancer causing carcinogen.

Advocacy.consumerreports.org lists the following marshmallow Peeps as containing Red Dye No. 3 -

"Despite the health concerns about Red Dye 3, the ingredient is found in Peeps Pink Marshmallow Chicks, Peeps Pink Marshmallow Bunnies, Peeps Lavender Marshmallow Chicks, and Peeps Lavender Marshmallow Bunnies.

Red Dye 3 is also found in Peeps Hot Tamales Marshmallow Chicks, Party Cake Peeps, Peeps Fruit Punch Marshmallow Chicks, and Peeps Wildberry Marshmallow Bunnies."

To read more about Red Dye 3 and it's use in Peeps, head over to advocacy.consumerreports.org.