Red 3 (Erythrosine)
Also known as: Erythrosine, FD&C Red No. 3, CI 45430
Color additive · E127
US-EU Regulatory Divergence
This additive has different regulatory status in the US and EU — what's permitted in one region may be restricted or banned in the other.
Regulatory Status
United States (FDA)
BannedFDA banned Red 3 from food in January 2025 (effective 2027) after decades of evidence linking it to thyroid cancer in rats. Was already banned from cosmetics since 1990.
European Union (EFSA)
ApprovedStill approved in EU with usage restrictions (mainly cocktail cherries and candied fruits).
Safety Profile
RARE REVERSAL: US banned it AFTER the EU kept it. Usually the divergence is the opposite direction. The 35-year delay between the evidence and the ban is cited as a regulatory failure.
Health Concerns
- • Causes thyroid tumors in male rats (established since 1990)
- • FDA acknowledged the cancer link for 35 years before acting
- • One of the most controversial delayed bans in FDA history
Commonly Found In
Sources: FDA Substances Added to Food, EFSA opinions, EU Regulation 1333/2008, IARC monographs
SafeCheck provides drug interaction information from FDA-approved product labeling (openFDA). This is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making medication decisions.