The U.S. Congress passed the Color Additives Amendment in 1960 prohibiting the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) from approving carcinogenic colors for use in foods, drugs, and cosmetics.

Scientifically, however, the language was imprecise and brought up “sticky” questions such as “were red dyes in women’s lipsticks really dangerous?” According to this cartoonist, it depended on some key assumptions! Published: 1960.