If you’ve been on TikTok or X (formerly Twitter) lately, you’ve probably seen a flood of posts claiming that Cosmic Brownies are banned by the FDA. And if you’re anything like me—a parent with a picky eater, especially one with sensory sensitivities—you might have felt a little bit of panic creeping in.

My nonverbal autistic son happens to love Cosmic Brownies. In fact, they’re one of the few foods he consistently eats. If you’re a parent of a child on the spectrum, you already know how tough it can be to find foods that they’ll accept. So, the idea that Cosmic Brownies might be going away? Yeah, that’s terrifying.

But before we all start stockpiling snack cakes like it’s the end of the world, let’s break this down. Are Cosmic Brownies really banned? Not exactly—but there’s more to the story.

Wait… Are Cosmic Brownies Actually Banned By The FDA?

No, Cosmic Brownies are NOT banned by the FDA—but they will have to change. The confusion started when the FDA announced a ban on Red Dye No. 3, a food coloring that’s been used in all kinds of processed snacks, including Cosmic Brownies.

Red Dye No. 3 has been a hot topic for years. It was banned from cosmetics in 1990 after studies linked it to cancer in lab animals, yet somehow, it was still allowed in food—until now. The FDA finally decided to pull the plug on it, meaning any product that relies on this dye will either need to be reformulated or removed from shelves by January 15, 2027.

How the Internet Reacted to the Cosmic Brownie Panic

TikTok, of course, wasted zero time spreading the news. One viral post from @8bit_sabrina summed up the freakout perfectly:

“Wait, Cosmic Brownies are getting banned? What am I supposed to do now??”
👉 Watch it here.

Over on X (Twitter), @IcyBeeWing echoed what many of us were feeling:

“COSMIC BROWNIES ARE GETTING BANNED BY THE FDA????”
👉 See the post here.

I get it. The idea of losing a childhood favorite—and for some of us, a lifesaver snack for our kids—is frustrating. But here’s the deal: Little Debbie isn’t just going to give up on Cosmic Brownies. They’ll most likely reformulate them with a different dye, and fingers crossed, they’ll taste exactly the same.

Other Foods Affected by the Red Dye No. 3 Ban

Cosmic Brownies aren’t the only ones getting a makeover. If your kid (or, let’s be honest, you) loves any of these snacks, you might want to brace yourself:

• Skittles (certain flavors)
• Peeps Marshmallows (especially pink and red ones)
• Good & Plenty Candy
• Maraschino Cherries (yes, the bright red ones on your sundaes!)
• Bubble Yum Bubblegum
• Some Cake Mixes and Frostings

For parents of kids with food sensitivities or sensory issues, changes like these can be a nightmare. Even the slightest difference in taste, color, or texture can make a food instantly “wrong” to a picky eater. So yeah, I totally understand why people are worried.

THEY ARE TAKING AWAY MY COSMIC BROWNIES NOOOOOO 💔💔💔💔 pic.twitter.com/WkxV9fGrUv

— Niv⋆｡˚ ✿ (@dirtqueenbag) January 21, 2025

What Can Parents Do?

If you’re like me and Cosmic Brownies (or any of these other foods) are a big deal in your household, here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Stock up now. Since the change isn’t happening overnight, there’s still time to grab a few extra boxes before the reformulation kicks in.
• Check ingredient labels. Red Dye No. 3 will be phased out, but other dyes (like Red 40) are still around. If your kid is sensitive to food dyes, be extra cautious.
• Try DIY Cosmic Brownies. Some parents are already testing homemade recipes with natural food coloring. A quick Pinterest search will bring up a ton of options!
• Follow brands for updates. Companies like Little Debbie will likely announce any ingredient changes, so keep an eye on their website and social media.

Final Thoughts: Cosmic Brownies Banned by FDA? Not Quite.

So, let’s set the record straight: Cosmic Brownies are NOT banned by the FDA. They will need a recipe change, but they’re not going anywhere. If you’ve seen TikToks claiming otherwise, take a deep breath—your snack stash is safe (for now).

That said, I totally get why this is stressing people out. For parents of sensory-sensitive kids, these small changes can feel huge. I’m really hoping that when Little Debbie reformulates, they get it right. Because let’s be real—finding foods our kids will actually eat is already hard enough.

What do you think? Are you worried about the Cosmic Brownie changes? Have you seen the TikTok panic? Let’s chat in the comments!