What Is Red 3 (Erythrosine)? Safety, Risks & Alternatives

⚡ Quick Facts

E-NumberE127
FDA StatusFDA banned Red 3 from cosmetics and external drugs in 1990 due to thyroid cancer evidence in rats. It remained legal in …
EFSA StatusEFSA approved with an ADI of 0.1 mg/kg body weight/day — one of the lowest ADIs for any food dye. Under ongoing review a…
ADI0.1 mg/kg body weight/day (EFSA)
SeverityModerate Risk (6/10)

What Is Red 3 (Erythrosine)?

A synthetic cherry-red coal tar dye used in food, primarily in candies, popsicles, cake decorating, and maraschino cherries. It was one of the original FDA-certified color additives and gives food a distinct bright pink-red color.

Mechanism of Action

Erythrosine is an organoiodine compound. In high doses in rats, it causes thyroid tumors by disrupting thyroid hormone regulation through its iodine content. The FDA determined this mechanism is specific to rats and set usage limits rather than banning it for decades, though California banned it effective 2027.

Why People Avoid Red 3 (Erythrosine)

Regulatory Status

🇺🇸 FDA

FDA banned Red 3 from cosmetics and external drugs in 1990 due to thyroid cancer evidence in rats. It remained legal in food until January 2025, when the FDA revoked authorization following a citizen petition. Manufacturers have until January 2027 to reformulate. California's Food Safety Act (2023) banned Red 3 from food sold in the state effective 2027.

🇪🇺 EFSA

EFSA approved with an ADI of 0.1 mg/kg body weight/day — one of the lowest ADIs for any food dye. Under ongoing review as of 2024.

Regulatory Timeline

1969 FDA permanently lists Red 3 as approved for food use
1990 FDA bans Red 3 from cosmetics and external drugs due to thyroid tumors in rats
2022 CSPI and other groups file citizen petition demanding FDA ban Red 3 from food
2023 California passes Food Safety Act banning Red 3 from food (effective 2027)
2025 FDA revokes food authorization for Red 3; manufacturers have until Jan 2027 to comply

Products Containing Red 3 (Erythrosine) (4 found)

#ProductBrandScore
1Equate Clear Liquid Hand Soap—4/100
2TARGET STORE SUGAR COOKIE KIT, TARGET STORETarget Stores68/100
3ARCHER FARMS, GUPID'S CRUNCH TRAIL MIXTarget Stores68/100
4CANDY FAVORITES HOLIDAY ROYAL MIXBig Y Foods, Inc.68/100

Average safety score for products containing Red 3 (Erythrosine): 52/100

Safer Alternatives

✅
Beet juice extract
✅
Carmine (from cochineal insects)
✅
Lycopene (tomato extract)
✅
Paprika oleoresin
✅
Anthocyanins (berry extracts)

Scientific Sources

  1. FDA (2025). FDA Revokes Authorization for Red No. 3 in Food
  2. Borzelleca et al. (1987). Lifetime toxicity/carcinogenicity study of FD&C Red No. 3 in rats
  3. California Food Safety Act (AB 418, 2023)
  4. McCann et al. (2007). Food additives and hyperactive behaviour. The Lancet, 370(9598)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Red 3 (Erythrosine)?
A synthetic cherry-red coal tar dye used in food, primarily in candies, popsicles, cake decorating, and maraschino cherries. It was one of the original FDA-certified color additives and gives food a distinct bright pink-red color.
Is Red 3 (Erythrosine) safe?
Red 3 (Erythrosine) is FDA banned Red 3 from cosmetics and external drugs in 1990 due to thyroid cancer evidence in rats. I. EFSA approved with an ADI of 0.1 mg/kg body weight/day — one of the lowest ADIs for any food dye. Un.
Where is Red 3 (Erythrosine) banned?
Red 3 (Erythrosine) is not currently banned in any major market according to our database.
What are alternatives to Red 3 (Erythrosine)?
Safer alternatives to Red 3 (Erythrosine) include: Beet juice extract, Carmine (from cochineal insects), Lycopene (tomato extract), Paprika oleoresin, Anthocyanins (berry extracts).
How can I avoid Red 3 (Erythrosine)?
Download CheckIt AI and scan any product's barcode or ingredient label. The app will flag Red 3 (Erythrosine) and suggest safer alternatives.
What foods contain Red 3 (Erythrosine)?
Red 3 (Erythrosine) is commonly found in: Candy corn, Pez, Popsicles, Brach's candy, Maraschino cherries, Cake decorations, Some medications. Our database has flagged it in 4 products.
What are the side effects of Red 3 (Erythrosine)?
Concerns about Red 3 (Erythrosine) include: FDA banned from cosmetics in 1990 but left in food for 35 years — many see this as inconsistent; Caused thyroid tumors in male rats at high doses; Contains iodine, which may affect thyroid function.
Is Red 3 (Erythrosine) natural or artificial?
Red 3 (Erythrosine): Erythrosine is an organoiodine compound. In high doses in rats, it causes thyroid tumors by disrupting thyroid hormone regulation through its iodine c.
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Related Ingredients

Compare Red 3 (Erythrosine)

Red 3 (Erythrosine) vs Red 40 (Allura Red AC)Red 3 (Erythrosine) vs Yellow 5 (Tartrazine)Red 3 (Erythrosine) vs Yellow 6 (Sunset Yellow FCF)Red 3 (Erythrosine) vs Blue 1 (Brilliant Blue FCF)Red 3 (Erythrosine) vs Caramel Color (4-MEI)Red 3 (Erythrosine) vs Titanium Dioxide
Red 40 (Allura Red AC)Yellow 5 (Tartrazine)Yellow 6 (Sunset Yellow FCF)AspartameBHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole)BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene)Sodium NitriteCarrageenan 📱 Red 3 (Erythrosine) Scanner App Ingredient Comparisons All Ingredients Ingredients Banned in Europe Scoring Methodology

⚕️ This page provides ingredient information for educational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional for personalized dietary guidance.

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📋 Cite This Data
APACheckIt AI. (2026). "What Is Red 3 (Erythrosine)? Safety, Risks & Alternatives | CheckIt AI". Climaverse PBC. Retrieved from https://getcheck.it/ingredients/red-3
MLA"What Is Red 3 (Erythrosine)? Safety, Risks & Alternatives | CheckIt AI." CheckIt AI, Climaverse PBC, 2026-03-05. https://getcheck.it/ingredients/red-3.
HTML Embed<a href="https://getcheck.it/ingredients/red-3">What Is Red 3 (Erythrosine)? Safety, Risks & Alternatives | CheckIt AI — CheckIt AI</a>
BibTeX@misc{checkit2026ingredientsred3, title = {What Is Red 3 (Erythrosine)? Safety, Risks & Alternatives | CheckIt AI}, author = {CheckIt AI}, year = {2026}, publisher = {Climaverse PBC}, url = {https://getcheck.it/ingredients/red-3}, note = {Retrieved 2026-03-05} }