FDA Status
Banned
Since 2025-01-15
Color Additive · CAS 16423-68-0 · EU E127
Red 3 (Erythrosine)
FDA status: Banned. EU: Approved. 10 U.S. states regulate it.
1.0 / 5
Composite safety Banned / Avoid
Score 1 of 5
Red 3 (Erythrosine): 1/5 (Banned / Avoid)
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.
- Regulated by 10 U.S. states, independent of federal FDA status
The verdict
Red 3 (Erythrosine) is banned by the FDA, but 10 states have acted independently, a sign federal and state views on this additive diverge.
- 1/5
- Banned / Avoid
- Banned
- FDA status
- Approved
- EU status
- 10
- state regulations
Red 3 (Erythrosine) (E127), CAS 16423-68-0, is a color additive additive holding a composite safety score of 1 out of 5 (Banned / Avoid). According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Substances Added to Food inventory, it is currently classified as Banned (status effective 2025-01-15), while the European Union lists it as Approved. It is most commonly used as Candy, frosting, cake mixes, maraschino cherries, popsicles.
Regulatory pressure is notable: 10 U.S. states have enacted legislation targeting Red 3 (Erythrosine), including Arizona, California, Colorado and 7 others. State actions frequently diverge from federal FDA policy, with legislative trends tending toward stricter controls than the federal baseline. Our regulatory timeline records 3 distinct regulatory events spanning multiple jurisdictions, illustrating how oversight has evolved over time.
Peer-reviewed research has flagged 1 distinct area of health concern for Red 3 (Erythrosine), which factors directly into the assigned safety score. The European Food Safety Authority has published an evaluation dated 2011-01-27. All figures above draw on FDA SAFFA inventory records, EU food additive regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, EFSA scientific opinions where published, and legislative records from individual U.S. states.
Regulatory Snapshot
| Property | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| U.S. State Actions | 10 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.
EU Status
Approved
E127
U.S. State Regulations
10 states
Arizona, California
Safety Assessment
Red 3 (Erythrosine)'s 1/5 (Banned / Avoid) score reflects where this specific ingredient lands on that scale. The FDA has banned Red 3 (Erythrosine) from food use, indicating sufficient evidence of safety concerns.
Notably, 10 US states have enacted regulations targeting Red 3 (Erythrosine), reflecting growing legislative attention to food additive safety at the state level. These state actions may differ from federal FDA policy and can range from outright bans to usage restrictions in certain product categories.
Research has identified 1 area of health concern associated with Red 3 (Erythrosine). Consumers with specific health conditions should consult a healthcare provider before consuming products containing this ingredient.
How Red 3 (Erythrosine) compares
Where a safety score of 1/5 falls among all 4,509 scored ingredients tracked on PlainIngredients.
Ingredients by safety score (Red 3 (Erythrosine) highlighted)
41 of 4,509 scored ingredients (0.9%) share a safety score of 1/5.
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
Candy, frosting, cake mixes, maraschino cherries, popsicles
Regulatory Timeline
2025-01-15 FDA
Banned in Food
FDA revoked authorization for Red 3 in food. Products must reformulate by January 2027.
2023-10-07 CA
State Ban Signed
California AB 418 signed, banning Red 3 effective 2027.
1990-01-29 FDA
Banned in Cosmetics
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 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Red 3 (Erythrosine) safe to consume?
Red 3 (Erythrosine) has a safety score of 1/5 (Banned / Avoid). It is banned by the FDA. It is regulated in 10 US states. Check with a healthcare provider for personalized advice.
What is Red 3 (Erythrosine) used for in food?
Red 3 (Erythrosine) is commonly used as: Candy, frosting, cake mixes, maraschino cherries, popsicles. It belongs to the Color Additive category of food additives.
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 FDA and EU use separate evaluation frameworks, the EU often applies the precautionary principle, sometimes banning additives that remain approved in the US. Always check both jurisdictions when evaluating food additive safety.
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.
How is the safety score for Red 3 (Erythrosine) calculated?
The safety score of 1/5 for Red 3 (Erythrosine) is a composite assessment based on FDA regulatory status, EU approval status, published scientific research on health effects, and state-level legislative actions. A score of 1 means "Banned / Avoid" and 5 means "Generally Safe." The score is updated as new regulatory actions or scientific evidence emerge.
Data Sources
- FDA Substances Added to Food (SAFFA) Inventory
- EU Food Additive Regulations (EC) No 1333/2008
- State food safety legislation and bill records
Related Color Additive Ingredients
What to do about Red 3 (Erythrosine)
This additive is flagged, worth checking labels for.
- Check the FDA status (Banned) and EU status (Approved) before assuming it is risk-free. How we score
- 10 states have acted on this additive, see which and why. State actions
- Scan a whole ingredient label at once to flag the concerning entries. Label checker
Safety scores summarise regulatory status and published concerns; they are not medical or dietary advice.
Every figure on PlainIngredients is rendered directly from FDA, EU, EFSA and U.S. state regulatory records, no number is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.