Red 3 (Erythrosine) β€” Banned in Europe, Legal in US Food

Red 3 (Erythrosine) is banned or restricted in EU (restricted), Norway, Already banned in US cosmetics since 1990 but remains legal in US food products. We found 5 products in our database that contain it.

5
Products Contain This
3
Countries Ban/Restrict
5
Known Health Risks
5
Safer Alternatives

What is Red 3 (Erythrosine)?

Red 3 (Erythrosine) is a cherry-red synthetic dye. The FDA banned it from cosmetics in 1990 due to thyroid cancer links but still allows it in food. It was finally set for phase-out in the US in 2025-2026 after decades of advocacy.

Also Known As

ErythrosineFD&C Red No. 3E127CI 45430

Look for any of these names on ingredient labels β€” they all refer to Red 3 (Erythrosine).

🚫 Banned/Restricted In

⚠️ US Status

Being phased out β€” FDA announced ban effective January 2027 for food, January 2028 for ingested drugs. Currently still in products.

Health Risks of Red 3 (Erythrosine)

⚠️Thyroid tumors in animal studies
⚠️Thyroid hormone disruption
⚠️Hyperactivity in children
⚠️Genotoxicity concerns
⚠️Banned in cosmetics by FDA since 1990

US Products Containing Red 3 (Erythrosine)

These 5 products from our database contain Red 3 in their ingredient list:

#ProductBrandScore
1Equate Clear Liquid Hand SoapUnknown4/100
2PARENT'S CHOICE, NUTRITIONAL SHAKE, CHOCOLATEPARENT'S CHOICE68/100
3TARGET STORE SUGAR COOKIE KIT, TARGET STORETarget Stores68/100
4CANDY FAVORITES HOLIDAY ROYAL MIXBig Y Foods, Inc.68/100
5ARCHER FARMS, GUPID'S CRUNCH TRAIL MIXTarget Stores68/100

Safer Alternatives to Red 3 (Erythrosine)

βœ“ Beet juiceβœ“ Pomegranate extractβœ“ Elderberry extractβœ“ Radish extractβœ“ Hibiscus

How to Avoid Red 3

  1. Download CheckIt AI β€” scan any product with your phone camera, no barcode needed.
  2. Check the ingredients β€” look for any of its 4 alternate names: Erythrosine, FD&C Red No. 3, E127.
  3. Choose alternatives β€” opt for products using Beet juice or Pomegranate extract instead.
  4. Buy European brands β€” products made for the EU market won't contain Red 3.
πŸ“¬

Get Your Free Weekly Clean Food Guide

Join health-conscious shoppers. Every week: worst products to avoid, cleanest new finds, and FDA recall alerts.

No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

Scan Any Product for Red 3 Free β†’

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Red 3 finally banned in the US?
Yes, the FDA announced a phase-out. Red 3 will be banned in food products by January 2027 and in drugs by January 2028. It was already banned in cosmetics since 1990 due to cancer links.
Why was Red 3 allowed in food but banned in cosmetics?
A legal loophole: the Delaney Clause specifically applied to cosmetics. Despite the same carcinogenicity evidence, the FDA didn't extend the ban to food for over 30 years.

πŸ“Š Data Sources: Product data from our database of 26,000+ scanned products. Regulatory data from FDA, EFSA, Health Canada, FSANZ, and published research. Last updated: 2026-03-05.

Other Banned Ingredients

Red 40 Yellow 5 Yellow 6 Blue 1 Blue 2 Green 3 Titanium Dioxide BHA BHT Potassium Bromate Brominated Vegetable Oil Azodicarbonamide rBGH / rBST Ractopamine Olestra TBHQ Propylparaben Sodium Nitrite Carrageenan All Banned Ingredients Ingredient Encyclopedia Ingredient Glossary
CheckIt AI
CheckIt AI
β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜… 4.7 Β· 202+ reviews

See what's really in your food

Scan any food label instantly. No barcode needed. 26,000+ products scored.

Download Free on the App Store β†’

Free Β· No credit card required Β· Works on iPhone & Android

Scanner Apps

Gluten Scanner AppDairy Scanner AppSeed Oil Scanner AppPeanut Allergy Scanner AppADHD Food Scanner AppIBS Food Scanner AppPregnancy Food Scanner AppCarnivore Diet Scanner AppKeto Scanner AppPaleo Scanner AppVegan Scanner AppCeliac Scanner AppMigraine Food Scanner AppKidney Diet Scanner AppCrohn's Food Scanner AppThyroid Scanner AppPCOS Food Scanner AppGout Food Scanner AppEczema Food Scanner AppToddler Food Scanner AppHeart Health Scanner AppAthlete Nutrition Scanner AppAcne Food Scanner AppFODMAP Scanner AppAIP Scanner AppMold Toxin Scanner AppHistamine Scanner AppOxalate Scanner AppNightshade Scanner AppSoy Scanner AppCorn Scanner AppEgg Allergy Scanner AppTree Nut Scanner AppShellfish Allergy Scanner AppSulfite Scanner AppSalicylate Scanner AppLectin Scanner AppSugar-Free Scanner AppLow Sodium Scanner AppMediterranean Diet Scanner AppWhole30 Scanner AppDiabetic Food Scanner AppColitis Food Scanner AppIC Food Scanner AppLupus Food Scanner AppHashimoto's Scanner AppEndometriosis Food Scanner AppAutoimmune Food Scanner AppBaby Formula Scanner AppPet Food Scanner AppSenior Nutrition Scanner AppOzempic Food Scanner AppWegovy Food Scanner AppMounjaro Food Scanner AppUltra-Processed Food ScannerHalal Food Scanner AppKosher Food Scanner AppAnti-Inflammatory Scanner AppCandida Diet Scanner AppSIBO Food Scanner AppLeaky Gut Scanner AppCholesterol Food Scanner AppBlood Pressure Scanner AppWeight Loss Food Scanner AppPesticide Food Scanner AppHeavy Metal Scanner AppPFAS Food Scanner AppBreastfeeding Food Scanner AppAutism Food Scanner AppFertility Food Scanner AppGAPS Diet Scanner AppElimination Diet Scanner AppLow Carb Scanner AppNanny Food Scanner AppGrocery Store Scanner AppFood Allergy Scanner AppDye-Free Food Scanner AppMuscle Building Scanner AppMarathon Runner Scanner AppKids Food Scanner AppFood Sensitivity Scanner AppClean Label Scanner AppFSA/HSA Food Scanner AppWhole Food Scanner AppDog Food Scanner AppCat Food Scanner App

Ingredient Safety

Red 40Yellow 5Yellow 6AspartameBHABHTSodium NitriteCarrageenanSucraloseTitanium DioxidePotassium BromateHigh Fructose Corn SyrupMSGSodium BenzoateTBHQPolysorbate 80Red 3Caramel ColorSoy LecithinNatural FlavorsAcesulfame-KMaltodextrinXanthan GumGuar GumCitric AcidErythritolBlue 1Propyl GallateMono & DiglyceridesPectinAcacia GumAgarAnnattoAutolyzed YeastAzodicarbonamideBVOCalcium PropionateCarnauba WaxCelluloseDATEMDisodium InosinateGellan GumKonjacLocust Bean GumMethylcelluloseSodium AlginateSodium Aluminum PhosphateTragacanth Gum

Food Safety Answers

Is Red 40 Banned in Europe?What Foods Have Seed Oils?Is Carrageenan Safe?Worst Food AdditivesIs BHA Safe?Does Gatorade Have Food Dye?Titanium Dioxide in FoodIs Aspartame Safe?Is Sodium Nitrite Dangerous?Is MSG Bad for You?What Is HFCS?Is Sucralose Safe?Food Dye Banned in Europe?Is Potassium Bromate Banned?What Is Natural Flavors?Is Soy Lecithin Bad?Is Maltodextrin Bad?Is Xanthan Gum Safe?Is Red 3 Banned?Is TBHQ Bad?Foods Banned in Other CountriesIs Citric Acid Bad?What Is Polysorbate 80?Is Caramel Color Safe?Is Palm Oil Bad?What Is Cellulose in Food?Is Acesulfame-K Safe?Is Erythritol Safe?Is Guar Gum Safe?Is Food in America Safe?Cheerios & PesticidesBest Food Scanner AppHow to Read Food LabelsIs Yellow 5 Safe?Are Preservatives Bad?Artificial Sweetener SafetyIs Canola Oil Bad?Hidden Names for SugarFoods That Cause InflammationIs Annatto Safe?Is Azodicarbonamide Safe?Is Calcium Propionate Safe?Is Carnauba Wax Safe?Is Gelatin Halal?Is Locust Bean Gum Safe?Mono & Diglycerides SafetyIs Pectin Safe?Propylene Glycol in FoodWhat Is Agar Agar?What Is BVO?What Is DATEM?What Is Sodium Alginate?What Is Sodium Benzoate?

Cleanest Rankings

Cleanest Protein BarsCleanest CerealCleanest YogurtCleanest ChipsCleanest SnacksCleanest BreadCleanest SaucesCleanest JuiceCleanest CookiesCleanest CandyCleanest Ice CreamCleanest PastaCleanest Baby FoodCleanest Energy DrinksCleanest Protein PowderCleanest Frozen MealsCleanest CondimentsCleanest SodaCleanest Pet Food

Free-From Finder

Protein Bars Without Seed OilsCereal Without Artificial ColorsSnacks Without PreservativesYogurt Without Artificial SweetenersChips Without Seed OilsCookies Without Artificial ColorsCandy Without Artificial ColorsSoda Without Artificial SweetenersFrozen Meals Without MSGBaby Food Without SugarEnergy Drinks Without SweetenersProtein Bars Without SweetenersSnacks Without Seed OilsCereal Without SugarBread Without PreservativesIce Cream Without CarrageenanPasta Without Gluten

Store Scan Results

Costco Protein Bars RankedWalmart Cereal RankedTarget Snacks RankedWhole Foods Yogurt RankedKroger Bread RankedAldi Snacks RankedCostco Snacks RankedWalmart Chips RankedTarget Cookies RankedTrader Joe's Snacks RankedWhole Foods Bread RankedWalmart Juice RankedTarget Cereal RankedWalmart Bread RankedKroger Snacks RankedAldi Cereal RankedWhole Foods Snacks RankedKroger Cereal RankedAldi Bread RankedTrader Joe's Cereal RankedCostco Bread Ranked

Ingredient Comparisons

Red 40 vs Yellow 5Red 40 vs Yellow 6Aspartame vs SucraloseAspartame vs HFCSBHA vs BHTRed 40 vs AspartameCarrageenan vs Soy LecithinSucralose vs HFCSTBHQ vs BHATBHQ vs BHTRed 40 vs Titanium DioxideRed 40 vs Caramel ColorMSG vs Natural FlavorsSodium Benzoate vs Potassium BromateYellow 5 vs Red 3Polysorbate 80 vs CarrageenanXanthan Gum vs Guar GumRed 40 vs Red 3Erythritol vs SucraloseMaltodextrin vs HFCSAll Ingredient Comparisons

Store Reports

Walmart Report CardTarget Report CardCostco Report CardKroger Report CardWhole Foods Report CardTrader Joe's Report CardAldi Report CardSam's Club Report Card

Original Research

All Research StudiesGrocery Product Safety StudySeed Oil CensusSafest Grocery StoresSchool Lunch Safety ReportMost Common AdditivesBanned Ingredients in US Products

App Comparisons

CheckIt vs YukaCheckIt vs EWGCheckIt vs FooducateCheckIt vs MyFitnessPalCheckIt vs Think DirtyCheckIt vs FigCheckIt vs SooseeCheckIt vs NoomYuka vs EWGYuka vs Fooducate

Category Safety Reports

All CategoriesSnacks Safety ReportFrozen Foods SafetySweet Snacks ReportDesserts Safety ReportMeals Safety ReportBiscuits & CrackersChips Safety ReportCereals Safety ReportSalty Snacks ReportPlant-Based SafetyBeverages Safety

Store Γ— Category Rankings

Walmart Snacks RankedCostco Snacks RankedTarget Snacks RankedWalmart Cereals RankedCostco Frozen FoodsTarget Desserts RankedWhole Foods SnacksTrader Joe's SnacksALDI Snacks RankedKroger Cereals Ranked

Worst & Best Rankings

Worst CandyWorst ChipsWorst SnacksWorst CerealsWorst Frozen FoodsBest SnacksBest CerealsBest Frozen FoodsBest Plant-BasedBest Desserts

Recipe & Meal Guides

All Recipe GuidesGluten-Free BreakfastGluten-Free SnacksDairy-Free DinnerVegan SnacksKeto BreakfastSeed Oil-Free SnacksGluten-Free Dairy-Free SnacksGluten-Free Soy-Free SnacksGF + DF + SF SnacksVegan Gluten-Free SnacksTop 8 Allergen-Free SnacksGF Snacks Without Seed OilsDairy-Free Nut-Free BreakfastGF DF EF Desserts

Store Allergy Guides

GF + DF Snacks at WalmartGF + DF Snacks at CostcoGF + DF Snacks at KrogerGF + DF Snacks at TargetGF + DF Snacks at ALDINut-Free Snacks at WalmartNut-Free Breakfast at CostcoVegan GF Dinner at KrogerDF + SF Lunch at WalmartGF + DF + SF at CostcoTop 8 Free at KrogerSeed Oil Free + GF at Walmart

Brand Report Cards

All Brand ReportsNestlΓ© Safety ReportKellogg's Safety ReportGeneral Mills ReportPringles Safety ReportHaribo Safety ReportMission Foods ReportDoritos Safety ReportCheetos Safety ReportOreo Safety ReportLay's Safety Report

Safe for Conditions

All Condition GuidesIBS-Safe SnacksGERD-Safe DrinksDiabetic-Friendly BreakfastCeliac-Safe SnacksLow-Histamine DinnerADHD-Friendly SnacksAutoimmune BreakfastMigraine-Safe SnacksCrohn's-Safe SnacksEczema-Safe SnacksPCOS-Friendly Breakfast

Store Diet Guides

GF Snacks at WalmartVegan Snacks at WalmartKeto Protein Bars at CostcoGF Snacks at CostcoVegan Snacks at Trader Joe'sGF Cereal at Trader Joe'sDF Snacks at TargetLow Sugar Cereal at KrogerPaleo Snacks at Whole FoodsGF Snacks at ALDI

Diet Product Finder

All Diet ProductsKeto Energy DrinksVegan Protein BarsGluten-Free CerealLow Sugar CookiesDairy-Free Ice CreamPaleo JerkySeed Oil-Free ChipsNut-Free Granola BarsGluten-Free BreadVegan Chocolate

Banned in Europe

All Banned IngredientsRed 40 (Allura Red)Yellow 5 (Tartrazine)Yellow 6 (Sunset Yellow)Red 3 (Erythrosine)Titanium DioxideBHABHTPotassium BromateBrominated Vegetable OilAzodicarbonamideTBHQ

Store Rankings

All Store RankingsWorst Snacks at WalmartWorst Cereal at CostcoWorst Candy at TargetBest Snacks at WalmartBest Snacks at CostcoBest Snacks at Trader Joe'sBest Cereal at Whole FoodsBest Yogurt at TargetWorst Chips at KrogerBest Bread at ALDI

GLP-1 Friendly Foods

All GLP-1 Friendly FoodsGLP-1 Protein BarsGLP-1 YogurtGLP-1 SnacksGLP-1 CerealGLP-1 JerkyGLP-1 Protein Bars at WalmartGLP-1 Snacks at CostcoGLP-1 Yogurt at Trader Joe'sGLP-1 Cereal at Target

Hidden Ingredient Names

All Hidden NamesHidden Names for MSGHidden Names for SugarHidden Names for HFCSHidden Names for Food DyesHidden Names for SoyHidden Names for Trans FatHidden Names for GlutenHidden Names for DairyHidden Names for Seed OilsHidden Names for Palm Oil

Reformulation Tracker

All ReformulationsFanta Orange ChangesMountain Dew ChangesKraft Mac & CheeseCheerios ChangesGatorade ChangesPepsi ChangesTrix Cereal ChangesSubway Bread Changes

Food Safety by Age

All Age GuidesToddler-Safe SnacksBaby-Safe BreakfastKids-Safe SnacksKids-Safe LunchPregnancy-Safe SnacksPregnancy-Safe BreakfastSenior-Friendly SnacksAthlete SnacksNursing-Safe DrinksTeen-Safe Snacks

Ultra-Processed Rankings

All UPF RankingsMost Processed SnacksMost Processed CerealsMost Processed CandyMost Processed ChipsMost Processed Frozen FoodsUPF Snacks at WalmartUPF Cereal at CostcoUPF Chips at TargetUPF Candy at Walmart

Cleanest Brands

All Cleanest BrandsCleanest Snack BrandsCleanest Cereal BrandsCleanest Chip BrandsCleanest Cookie BrandsCleanest Yogurt BrandsCleanest Bread BrandsCleanest Baby Food BrandsCleanest Protein Bar BrandsCleanest Frozen Food Brands

Ingredient Side Effects

All Side EffectsRed 40 Side EffectsYellow 5 Side EffectsAspartame Side EffectsSucralose Side EffectsMSG Side EffectsBHA Side EffectsSodium Benzoate Side EffectsCarrageenan Side EffectsHFCS Side EffectsCaramel Color Side Effects

Brand Exposure Reports

All Brand ReportsNestlΓ© ExposedKellogg's ExposedGeneral Mills ExposedFrito-Lay ExposedKraft ExposedCoca-Cola ExposedPepsi ExposedMars ExposedMondelΔ“z Exposed

Guides & Tools

Download CheckIt AIUser ReviewsFood RecallsBanned in EuropeFood Safety ReportIngredient GlossaryStore RankingsIngredient EncyclopediaHealthier Swap FinderOur MethodologyIngredient ComparisonsTopic GuidesAll Food Safety AnswersOpen DataWhat's Really In Your Food
4.7
from 202+ ratings on the App Store
πŸ“‹ Cite This Data
APACheckIt AI. (2026). "Red 3 (Erythrosine): Banned in Europe But Legal in US Food (5 Products) | CheckIt AI". Climaverse PBC. Retrieved from https://getcheck.it/banned-in-europe/red-3
MLA"Red 3 (Erythrosine): Banned in Europe But Legal in US Food (5 Products) | CheckIt AI." CheckIt AI, Climaverse PBC, 2026-03-05. https://getcheck.it/banned-in-europe/red-3.
HTML Embed<a href="https://getcheck.it/banned-in-europe/red-3">Red 3 (Erythrosine): Banned in Europe But Legal in US Food (5 Products) | CheckIt AI β€” CheckIt AI</a>
BibTeX@misc{checkit2026bannedineuropered3, title = {Red 3 (Erythrosine): Banned in Europe But Legal in US Food (5 Products) | CheckIt AI}, author = {CheckIt AI}, year = {2026}, publisher = {Climaverse PBC}, url = {https://getcheck.it/banned-in-europe/red-3}, note = {Retrieved 2026-03-05} }