E127
What is E127?
Erythrosine, also known as FD&C Red No. 3, is a synthetic (man-made) red dye. It is produced through chemical synthesis.
Is E127 vegan?
E127 is not animal-derived. Products that contain it can still include other animal-derived ingredients, so check the full ingredient list.
Is E127 a major allergen?
Erythrosine is a synthetic dye and is not derived from any of the nine major food allergens.
What is E127 used for?
Manufacturers add erythrosine to give foods a cherry-red color.
Is E127 safe?
In the United States, erythrosine was approved by the FDA as a color additive for food.
Why it's used
Manufacturers add erythrosine to give foods a cherry-red color. It is commonly found in candies, glazes, popcorn, and other processed foods.
Health notes
In the United States, erythrosine was approved by the FDA as a color additive for food. However, the FDA revoked its approval for use in food in January 2025, with manufacturers having until January 2027 to comply. Some scientific studies have raised questions about its safety, particularly concerning thyroid function and potential links to cancer in animals at very high doses, though human evidence at typical intake levels is mixed. Both the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) have evaluated erythrosine.
Allergen info
Erythrosine is a synthetic dye and is not derived from any of the nine major food allergens. Not a major allergen.
Foods that contain E127
Compare products →
Learn more
Auto-generated content. This description was generated automatically and is pending editorial review. Inaccuracies are possible. Found a mistake? Contact us.