Artificial additives
Red 3 (erythrosine)
Definition
What it is
Artificial synthetic dye: linked to hyperactivity in children; requires mandatory warning label in the EU. The FDA is currently reviewing authorization following California's 2023 ban of several dyes in school foods.
On the label
How it appears on labels
- red 3
- red no. 3
- erythrosine
- e127
Regulation
Regulatory status
- European Union Warning label required
- Japan Restricted
- United States Restricted
Explainer
In plain language
Red 3, also called erythrosine or E127, is a synthetic dye that gives foods a bright cherry-red or pink color. It is made from petroleum-derived materials and does one job: appearance. It has long been used in candies, baked goods, and some medications.
Assessment
Why it is flagged
In January 2025 the FDA revoked its authorization for Red 3 in foods and ingested drugs, citing animal studies in which high doses of the dye were associated with thyroid tumors in male rats, with a compliance deadline for manufacturers to reformulate. The decision followed years of advocacy and California's 2023 law banning Red 3 and several other additives from foods sold in the state. Red 3 has also been discussed alongside other synthetic dyes in the debate over hyperactivity in some children, though the strongest regulatory action against it came from the animal cancer findings. In the EU, erythrosine remains permitted only in specific uses such as certain cocktail and candied cherries. Clear Label marks it high severity because a major regulator moved to remove it from the food supply.
In the aisle
Where it commonly shows up
- Candies and candy coatings
- Maraschino and candied cherries
- Frostings and colored baked goods
- Some popsicles and frozen treats
- Certain chewable medications and supplements
Practical
Reading the label
US labels list it as Red 3, Red No. 3, FD&C Red No. 3, or erythrosine. In the EU it appears as E127. As US products reformulate to meet the FDA deadline, the same brand may switch to a different red source over time.
Alternatives
If you want to avoid it
Some people choose products colored with beet juice or other plant-based reds, or candied cherries dyed without synthetic color.
FAQ
Common questions
Did the FDA ban Red 3?
Yes. In January 2025 the FDA revoked authorization for Red 3 in food and ingested drugs, giving manufacturers a deadline to reformulate. The action was based on animal studies linking high doses to thyroid tumors in male rats.
Is Red 3 the same as Red 40?
No. Red 3 (erythrosine) and Red 40 (Allura Red) are different dyes. The FDA revoked Red 3's food authorization in 2025, while Red 40 remains authorized in the US.
Is Red 3 still allowed in Europe?
Erythrosine (E127) is permitted in the EU only for limited uses, such as certain cocktail and candied cherries, rather than broadly across foods.
Citations
Sources
Citation
Primary reference
About this page: the definition, label names, severity, and regulatory chips come from the clearlabel ingredient taxonomy, the same data the scanner uses to score products. Research summaries describe associations reported in published studies, not diagnoses; individual responses vary. Scan any product with clearlabel to see which of its ingredients carry flags.