Popular Candy Sold In Alabama May Cause Cancer

Some folks love it and some folks hate it.

Personally, I'm in the middle.

I can take it or leave it.

We are not far away from the annual event that this candy is always linked to.

It's definitely an Easter fave for many in Alabama and across the world.

This candy is sold all over Alabama in grocery stores and other retailers.

Now, health warnings are being issued about this popular candy.

The warning comes from Consumer Reports and highlights certain types of this candy.

What candy is it?

The marshmallow peep.

According to Consumer Reports, it has to do with certain colors of marshmallow peeps.

Colored peeps are made with Red Dye No. 3.

This ingredient has been linked in multiple studies to causing cancer in animals.

It is categorized as carcinogenic.

Consumer Reports has even reached out to the company that makes marshmallow peeps advising them to cease production of the confection.

At this time the company has not responded to Consumer Reports.

A Consumer Reports staff scientist warned parents, "Parents should know that the purple and pink colored peeps they may be putting in their kid's Easter basket are made with an ingredient that is a known carcinogen," said Michael Hansen from Consumer Reports.

The Red Dye No. 3 is used in multiple marshmallow peeps. According to Consumer Reports, moms and dads should watch out for Pink Marshmallow Chicks, Peeps Pink Marshmallow Bunnies, Peeps Lavender Marshmallow Chicks, and Peeps Lavender Marshmallow Bunnies.

That particular ingredient, Red Dye No. 3, has been banned by the FDA from cosmetics since 1990. It seems strange to many experts that it is allowed in foods.

Thousands of food products include the cancer-causing ingredient.

The FDA requires food companies to print that on the label.

Peep's parent company issued a statement after the Consumer Reports warning was reported.