Additives · Color
Red No. 3 (erythrosine) (E127)
A synthetic cherry-red dye.
Where it's restricted
US (FDA)Authorization revokedfrom 2027-01-15
EUAllowed
CaliforniaBannedfrom 2027-01-01
West VirginiaBannedfrom 2028-01-01
West VirginiaBanned in school mealsfrom 2025-08-01
TexasWarning label requiredfrom 2027-01-01
LouisianaBanned in school mealsfrom 2028-2029 school year
LouisianaWarning label requiredfrom 2028-01-01
What each rule says, with sources
- US (FDA): Authorization revoked from 2027-01-15 FDA revoked its approval for food; food makers must stop using it by January 15, 2027 (ingested drugs by January 18, 2028). (90 FR 4628 (2025)) Source
- EU: Allowed On the EU's list of approved additives as E127. Only in cocktail and candied cherries and bigarreaux cherries. (Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008) Source
- California: Banned from 2027-01-01 Banned in food made, sold or distributed in California after January 1, 2027. (AB 418 (2023)) Source
- West Virginia: Banned from 2028-01-01 Food containing it is treated as adulterated in West Virginia from January 1, 2028. (HB 2354 (2025)) Source
- West Virginia: Banned in school meals from 2025-08-01 Banned in West Virginia school meals since August 1, 2025. (HB 2354 (2025)) Source
- Texas: Warning label required from 2027-01-01 Labels developed on or after January 1, 2027 must warn that the product contains an ingredient not recommended for consumption in Australia, Canada, the EU or the UK. (SB 25 (2025)) Source
- Louisiana: Banned in school meals from 2028-2029 school year Banned in Louisiana school food from the 2028-2029 school year (concession stands and vending machines exempt). (SB 14, Act 463 (2025)) Source
- Louisiana: Warning label required from 2028-01-01 Products containing it must carry a QR code disclosure from January 1, 2028. (SB 14, Act 463 (2025)) Source
Also listed on labels as: Red 3, FD&C Red No. 3, Erythrosine, Red 3 Lake.
Products that list it
9,178 products in USDA's label data name Red No. 3 (erythrosine) in their ingredients.
Candy (3,004)Cookies & Biscuits (1,580)Baking Decorations & Dessert Toppings (1,074)Cakes, Cupcakes, Snack Cakes (960)Popcorn, Peanuts, Seeds & Related Snacks (376)Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt (298)Chocolate (284)Other Snacks (197)
- Salad Topping Food Club · Salad Dressing & Mayonnaise · 1 recall · 1 additive banned somewhere
- Salad Topping Durkee · Salad Dressing & Mayonnaise · 1 recall · 2 additives banned somewhere
- Assorted Chocolates Fannie May · Chocolate · 1 recall · 4 additives banned somewhere
- Saffron Yellow Rice Vigo · Rice · lab tested · 2 additives banned somewhere · 4 package sizes
- Black Hot Sauce, Black Wichos Foods · Ketchup, Mustard, BBQ & Cheese Sauce · 1 recall · 4 additives banned somewhere
- Vigo, Saffron Yellow Rice Vigo · Rice · lab tested · 2 additives banned somewhere
- Vanilla Cupcakes, Vanilla Two-bite · Cakes, Cupcakes, Snack Cakes · 1 recall · 4 additives banned somewhere
- Unicorn Cupcakes, Unicorn Two-bite · Cakes, Cupcakes, Snack Cakes · 1 recall · 5 additives banned somewhere
- Vanilla Cupcakes, Vanilla Kimberley's Bakeshoppe · Cakes, Cupcakes, Snack Cakes · 1 recall · 4 additives banned somewhere
- Chocolate Shake, Chocolate Pediasure · Children's Nutritional Supplements · lab tested · 1 additive banned somewhere · 5 package sizes
- Ice Cream, Bordeaux Cherry Umpqua · Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt · 2 recalls · 5 additives banned somewhere
- Vanilla Mini Cupcakes, Vanilla 7 Select · Cakes, Cupcakes, Snack Cakes · 1 recall · 4 additives banned somewhere