Color Additive · CAS 16423-68-0 · EU E127
Red 3 (Erythrosine)
FDA status: Banned. EU: Approved. 10 U.S. states regulate it.
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Red 3 (Erythrosine) is banned by the FDA, though 10 U.S. states have enacted independent regulation on it, a sign federal and state views on this additive diverge. Its composite safety score is 1 out of 5 (Banned / Avoid), and the European Union separately classifies it as approved; among state-regulated additives it ranks #1 of 8.
- #1 of 8 among state-regulated additives
The verdict
According to state food-safety statutes PlainIngredients tracks, Red 3 (Erythrosine) ranks #1 of 8 among additives with at least one U.S. state regulation (most-regulated first).
- 1/5
- Banned / Avoid
- #1 of 8
- state-ban corpus rank
- Approved
- EU status
- 10
- state regulations
State-action and regulatory snapshot
Red 3 (Erythrosine): 10 independent U.S. state statutes sit beside the federal row, start there, then FDA/EU.
| Property | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. State Actions | 10 states · #1 of 8 | State legislative records |
| FDA Status | Banned (2025-01-15) | FDA SAFFA |
| EU Status | Approved | EC 1333/2008 |
| E-Number | E127 | EU additive register |
| CAS Number | 16423-68-0 | CAS Registry |
| Category | Color Additive | FDA functional class |
| Composite Safety Score | 1 / 5 (Banned / Avoid) | PlainIngredients methodology |
| EFSA ADI | Not established | EFSA scientific opinion |
| 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.
What is Red 3 (Erythrosine)?
Synthetic red dye derived from coal tar. Used in candies, baked goods, and maraschino cherries.
Health Concerns
- Linked to thyroid tumors in animal studies. The FDA banned it in January 2025 after decades of petitions.
Common Uses
Regulatory Timeline
FDA revoked authorization for Red 3 in food. Products must reformulate by January 2027.
California AB 418 signed, banning Red 3 effective 2027.
FDA banned Red 3 in cosmetics and topical drugs
State Regulations
| State | Status | Effective Date | Bill |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | Proposed Ban | TBD | HB 2476 |
| California | Banned | 2027-01-01 | AB 418 |
| Colorado | Proposed Ban | TBD | HB 25-1176 |
| Illinois | Banned | 2027-01-01 | HB 2415 |
| Minnesota | Proposed Ban | TBD | HF 1734 |
| New Jersey | Proposed Ban | TBD | A 3817 |
| New York | Banned | 2027-07-01 | A 6424 |
| Texas | Proposed Ban | TBD | SB 1351 |
| Washington | Banned | 2027-01-01 | SB 5765 |
| West Virginia | Banned | 2026-06-01 | SB 467 |
State-action peer axes
Nationwide peers beside 10 state statutes
State-action mass (10 statutes) frames safety-score peers (1/5); product-count column omitted on state-action-led pages.
Same 1/5 score, different state-action mass
Nearest other additives by PlainIngredients safety score (floored at ≥50 tracked products), distinct from the count row.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Red 3 (Erythrosine) safe to consume?
Red 3 (Erythrosine) scores 1/5 (Banned / Avoid). the FDA bans it for food use, yet 10 U.S. states regulate it on their own statutes, that state-action gap is the lead signal here, not the federal label alone.
What is Red 3 (Erythrosine) used for in food?
Red 3 (Erythrosine) is used as Candy, frosting, cake mixes, maraschino cherries, popsicles (Color Additive). State statutes (10) matter more for this additive than the use list alone.
Where does Red 3 (Erythrosine) sit among food additives PlainIngredients tracks?
Among additives with at least one U.S. state regulation, Red 3 (Erythrosine) ranks #1 of 8 by the number of distinct states regulating it (same sort as the state-ban rankings page). See /methodology#corpus-placement for the ranking bases.
Is Red 3 (Erythrosine) banned in any US states?
Yes, Red 3 (Erythrosine) is regulated in 10 US states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Illinois, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Texas, Washington, West Virginia. Regulations vary from full bans to restrictions on specific uses.
What is the difference between FDA and EU regulation of Red 3 (Erythrosine)?
The FDA classifies Red 3 (Erythrosine) as "Banned" while the EU status is "Approved" (E127). The EU often applies the precautionary principle, sometimes restricting additives that remain approved in the US.
What health concerns are associated with Red 3 (Erythrosine)?
Research has identified the following health concerns for Red 3 (Erythrosine): Linked to thyroid tumors in animal studies. The FDA banned it in January 2025 after decades of petitions.. These findings inform its safety score of 1/5. Consult a healthcare provider for personalized guidance, especially if you have pre-existing conditions.