Back to catalogSafety
E123ColorantElevated concern
Amaranth
In plain words
The short version
A synthetic red azo dye, banned as a food color in the US but permitted in the EU for limited uses.
Why we flag it
A synthetic red azo dye, banned as a food colour in the US since 1976 and allowed only for limited uses in the EU. Like other azo dyes it can cause reactions in sensitive people. That's why we flag it.
Safety profile
ADI 0.15 mg/kg body weight per day (EFSA, 2010); JECFA's ADI is 0–0.5 mg/kg body weight (1984). Banned as a food color in the United States since 1976 over disputed carcinogenicity data; still permitted in the EU for limited uses. As an azo dye it can provoke reactions in sensitive or asthmatic individuals.
The detail
A synthetic red azo dye (FD&C Red No. 2), first made in the late 19th century. It is named after the amaranth plant's color, not derived from it.
Red-to-purple colorant. In the EU it is permitted only in certain alcoholic drinks (some aperitif wines, americano and bitter vino, bitter soda, some spirit drinks, and alcoholic drinks under 15% alcohol) and in fish roe other than sturgeon caviar.
Dark red-brown water-soluble powder; stable to light and heat but fades with sulfur dioxide and reducing sugars.
EU-permitted (restricted uses); banned for food use in the US; varies elsewhere.
Sources
- EFSA ANS Panel — Scientific Opinion on the re-evaluation of Amaranth (E 123) as a food additive (2010), EFSA Journal 8(7):1649, doi:10.2903/j.efsa.2010.1649 — European Food Safety Authority, 2010. ADI 0.15 mg/kg bw/day is EFSA's figure
- WHO JECFA database — Amaranth (INS 123) — World Health Organization / JECFA, 1984. JECFA ADI 0–0.5 mg/kg bw
- 21 CFR 81.30(j) — Cancellation of certificates for FD&C Red No. 2 (effective 28 January 1976) — U.S. eCFR / FDA. US ban on food use since 1976
- Commission Regulation (EU) No 1129/2011 — Union list of food additives (Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008) — EUR-Lex / European Union, 2011. EU restricted uses (drinks and fish roe, not caviar)
Checked against these sources on .
Educational information only. Not medical, dietary or veterinary advice. Spotted an error? Tell us.