Fd And C Red No. 3(E127)
Level 4 — Significant concernsIn Winter's Dictionary
Fd And C Red No. 3 is a colorant — Cherry red coal-tar xanthene coloring
Also: Erythrosin
What it does
Cherry red coal-tar xanthene coloring
Where you'll see it
Toothpaste, canned fruit cocktail cherries, ice cream, hot dogs, barbecue potato chips, cereals, puddings, maraschino cherries, bubble gum, baked goods, snack foods, candy
What the research says
May interfere with brain nerve impulses. Found to be cancer-causing; may contribute to breast cancer—when added to human cell culture, caused genetic damage and rapid cell growth like estrogen exposure.
Regulatory status
- US FDA: ASP
- EU: approved
- Notes: Lake removed 1990; cosmetic uses terminated 1990; FDA announced plans to revoke food/drug uses
Sources
- A Consumer's Dictionary of Food Additives (Winter): may contribute to breast cancer. Scientists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Northeastern Illinois University reported Red No. 3 causes breast cancer in the laboratory