Erythrosine
The short version
A cherry-pink iodine-based dye best known in cocktail cherries; US authorization is being withdrawn.
A synthetic pink/red dye (Erythrosine). It contains iodine and high intakes have raised thyroid questions in animal studies, so its use is tightly restricted. That's why we flag it.
Safety profile
ADI 0.1 mg/kg body weight (JECFA). High doses affected the thyroid in animal studies (it is iodine-rich), so its uses are restricted. In January 2025 the US FDA revoked its authorization for use in foods and ingested drugs under the Delaney Clause, because high exposure induced thyroid tumors in male rats; FDA noted these tumors are of limited relevance to humans. The revocation takes effect for foods on 15 January 2027 and for ingested drugs on 18 January 2028.
Sources
- WHO JECFA database — Erythrosine (INS 127), 86th meeting (2018) — World Health Organization / JECFA, 2018. JECFA ADI 0–0.1 mg/kg bw, confirmed 2018
- FDA order — Color Additive Petition From CSPI et al.; Request To Revoke Color Additive Listing for Use of FD&C Red No. 3 in Food and Ingested Drugs, 90 FR 4628 (16 January 2025) — U.S. Food and Drug Administration / Federal Register (govinfo), 2025. US revocation for food and ingested drugs, effective 15 Jan 2027
- 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 use limited to cherries
Checked against these sources on .
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