Food Additive · EU 142
Green S
FDA status: Approved. EU: Approved. No U.S. state has enacted a specific ban yet.
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Green S is FDA-approved, and no U.S. state has moved to restrict it independently of federal policy. The European Union separately classifies it as approved.
The verdict
Green S is FDA-approved, and no U.S. state has moved to restrict it.
- 3/5
- Mixed Evidence
- Approved
- FDA status
- Approved
- EU status
- 0
- state regulations
The regulatory record at a glance
Green S: composite 3/5 (Mixed Evidence) with FDA Approved and EU Approved.
| Property | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| E-Number | 142 | EU additive register |
| FDA Status | Approved | FDA SAFFA |
| EU Status | Approved | EC 1333/2008 |
| CAS Number | - | CAS Registry |
| Category | Food Additive | FDA functional class |
| Composite Safety Score | 3 / 5 (Mixed Evidence) | PlainIngredients methodology |
| EFSA ADI | Not in our EFSA data | EFSA scientific opinion |
| U.S. State Actions | 0 states | State legislative records |
| Tracked Products | Not yet tracked | Open Food Facts (US) |
Values reflect official agency classifications as published by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the European Union's regulatory framework. See our methodology for scoring details.
Green S: what it is
GREEN S is a green synthetic coal tar triarylmethane dye with the molecular formula C27H25N2O7S2Na. It can be used in mint sauce, desserts, gravy granules, sweets, ice creams, and tinned peas.
Health Concerns
- EFSA evaluation: Scientific Opinion on the re‐evaluation of Green S -E 142- as a food additive. EFSA overexposure risk: moderate
Common Uses
Catalog-profile peer axes
Nationwide catalog-profile peers for Green S
Product-count (0) and safety-score (3/5) peer columns, disjoint link sets.
Score 3/5 peers (≥50 OFF products)
Nearest other additives by PlainIngredients safety score (floored at ≥50 tracked products), distinct from the count row.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Green S safe to consume?
Green S scores 3/5 (Mixed Evidence). FDA status is Approved. The mixed-evidence band means federal approval and remaining open questions coexist, read the health-concern and state-action rows before treating the score as a green light.
What is Green S used for in food?
Green S is commonly used as: Various processed foods. It belongs to the Food Additive category of food additives.
What health concerns are associated with Green S?
Research has identified the following health concerns for Green S: EFSA evaluation: Scientific Opinion on the re‐evaluation of Green S -E 142- as a food additive. EFSA overexposure risk: moderate. These findings inform its safety score of 3/5. Consult a healthcare provider for personalized guidance, especially if you have pre-existing conditions.