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E 127 Erythrosine and Red No. 3, is an organoiodine compound, specifically a derivative of fluorone.
E 127 Erythrosine is a red-pink dye used for food coloring, cosmetics, hair coloring, pet products, and diverse industrial colorings.
E 127 Erythrosine is the disodium salt of 2,4,5,7-tetraiodofluorescein.
CAS Number: 16423-68-0
Molecular Formula: C20H9I4NaO5
Molecular Weight: 859.89
EINECS Number: 240-474-8
Synonyms: 16423-68-0, Erythrosin B, Erythrosine B, ERYTHROSINE, C.I. Acid Red 51, Erythrosine sodium (close form), Food Red No. 3, Sodium 2',4',5',7'-tetraiodo-3-oxo-3H-spiro[isobenzofuran-1,9'-xanthene]-3',6'-bis(olate), MFCD00144257, Erythrosin B disodium, C.I. Food Red 14, FD & C red no. 3, FD&C Red 3, Spiro[isobenzofuran-1(3H),9'-[9H]xanthen]-3-one,3',6'-dihydroxy-2',4',5',7'-tetraiodo-, disodium salt, DTXSID7021233, Erythrosine I, Erythrosine BS, Erythrosine TB, Erythrosine Lake, Erythrosine 3B, Maple erythrosine, Sodium erythrosin, Erythrosine Extra, Cilefa Pink B, Erythrosine Bluish, Erythrosine B Disodium Salt, Spiro(isobenzofuran-1(3H),9'-(9H)xanthen)-3-one, 3',6'-dihydroxy-2',4',5',7'-tetraiodo-, disodium salt, disodium;2',4',5',7'-tetraiodo-3-oxospiro[2-benzofuran-1,9'-xanthene]-3',6'-diolate, Dolkwal erythrosine, Food Dye Red 3, Erythrosine TB Extra, FDC Red 3 dye, Usacert Red No. 3, Calcocid erythrosine N, Schultz No. 887, Erythrosin B disodium 100 microg/mL in Acetonitrile/Water, Hexacert Red No. 3, Hexacol erythrosine BS, FD and C Red 3, Erythrosin B, soldium salt, New Pink Bluish Geigy, Red Dye No. 3, Canacert erythrosine BS, DTXCID301030411, Erythrosine (indicator), Caswell No. 425AB, FDC Red 3, Erythrosine Extra Bluish, LB-Rot 1, Erythrosine Extra Pure A, D&C Red No. 3, Edicol Supra Erythrosin AS, Edicol Supra Erythrosine A, Benzoic acid, 2-(6-hydroxy-2,4,5,7-tetraiodo-3-oxo-3H-xanthen-j9-yl)-, disodium salt, Cerven kysela 51 [Czech], Cerven kysela 51, Sodium 2',4',5',7'-tetraiodo-3-oxo-3H-spiro-[isobenzofuran-1,9'-xanthene]-3',6'-bis(olate), Spiro(isobenzofuran-1(3H),9'-(9H)xanthen)-3-one, 3',6'-dihydroxy-2',4',5',7'-tetraiodo-, sodium salt (1:2), CCRIS 892, Dye FD and C Red No. 3, CAS-16423-68-0, Erythrosine B Disodium Salt (Technical Grade), Erythrosine B (biological stain), Cerven potravinarska 14 [Czech], Erythrosine Extra Conc. A Export, Cerven potravinarska 14, EINECS 240-474-8, Erythrosine B-FO (biological stain), Erythrosine K-FO (biological stain), Erythrosine bluish (biological stain), UNII-8TL7LH93FM, EPA Pesticide Chemical Code 120901, Eritrosina, Erythrosine sodium (close form) [USAN], AI3-09094, Disodium 2',4',5',7'-tetraiodofluorescein, E 127, HSDB 7974, Spiro[isobenzofuran-1(3H),9'-[9H]xanthen]-3-one, 3',6'-dihydroxy-2',4',5',7'-tetraiodo-, sodium salt (1:2), 9-(o-Carboxyphenyl)-6-hydroxy-2,4,5,7-tetraiodo-3H-xanthene-3-one disodium salt monohydrate, Disodium 9-(O-carboxyphenyl)-6-hydroxy-2,4,5,7-tetraiodo-3H-xanthen-3-one monohydrate, SCHEMBL19080, Disodium 3',6'-dihydroxy-2',4',5',7'-tetraiodospiro(isobenzofuran-1(3H),9'-(9H)xanthen)-3-one, Erythrosin B, analytical standard, MSK2415, RAGZEDHHTPQLAI-UHFFFAOYSA-L, Tox21_202932, Tox21_302085, NSC 36685, AKOS015904033, AKOS016010498, ERYTHROSINE SODIUM (OPEN FORM), FE44544, NSC 759227, Erythrosine sodium (open form) [USAN], NCGC00255371-01, NCGC00260478-01, 3',6'-Dihydroxy-2',4',5',7'-tetraiodospiro(isobenzofuran-1(3H),9'- -(9H)xanthen)-3-one, disodium salt, DA-73197, Erythrosin extra bluish (C.I. 45430), Erythrosin extra bluish, 87.0-100.0%, D92361, SBI-0654215.0001, 2-(2,4,5,7-tetraiodo-3-oxido-6-oxoxanthen-9-yl)benzoate, Erythrosin extra bluish, certified by the Biological Stain Commission, Benzoic acid, 2-(6-hydroxy-2,4,5,7-tetraiodo-3-oxo-3H-xanthen-9-yl)-, disodium salt, Erythrosin B, certified by the Biological Stain Commission, Dye content 90 %, Erythrosin extra bluish, for microscopy (Bact., Hist.), adsorption and fluorescent indicator, Fluorescein, 2',4',5',7'-tetraiodo-, disodium salt (Benzoic acid tautomeric form), Red No. 3;2-(6-Hydroxy-2,4,5,7-tetraiodo-3-oxo-xanthen-9-yl)benzoic acid, ERYTHROSIN B;ERYTHROSIN BLUISH;ERYTHROSIN B, POLYMER BOUND;ERYTHROSIN, DISODIUM SALT;ERYTHROSINE;ERYTHROSINE B;ERYTHROSINE B STAIN;ERYTHROSIN EXTRA BLUISH
E 127 Erythrosine is principally the disodium salt of the monohydrate of 9(ocarboxyphenyl)-6-hydroxy-2,4,5,7-tetraiodo-3H- xanthen-3-one.
The colorant is a brown powder that dissolves in water to give a solution red at neutrality, with a yellow-brown precipitate in acid, and with a red precipitate in base.
When dissolved in concentrated sulfuric acid, it yields a brown-yellow solution that evolves iodine and a precipitate of the free acid when heated.
E 127 Erythrosine is used in dietary supplements, confectionery products, dairy products, cherries, jellies, jams, dessert powders, canned fruit and vegetable products, fish products, condiment sauces and bakery goods.
E 127 Erythrosine, is a synthetic red dye primarily used as a food coloring agent, but it also finds applications in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and biological staining.
Chemically, E 127 Erythrosine is a derivative of fluorescein that contains four iodine atoms, which give it its distinctive bright pink to red color.
E 127 Erythrosine is classified as a xanthene dye, and it is officially listed under the European Union's food additive code as E127.
This compound is water-soluble and typically appears as a reddish powder or granules.
Its full chemical name is quite complex: disodium 2',4',5',7'-tetraiodofluorescein.
In the food industry, E 127 Erythrosine has been used to color products such as candies, cake decorations, canned cherries, and some beverages, although its use has become more restricted over the years.
In the European Union, its use is tightly controlled and allowed only in specific items, mainly because of health concerns linked to high levels of consumption.
In contrast, in the United States, it is approved as FD&C Red No. 3, although some of its uses in cosmetics and external drugs have been banned due to potential carcinogenic effects observed in animal studies.
Beyond food, E 127 Erythrosine is also used in diagnostic procedures and microscopy due to its ability to bind to cellular components, making it useful as a biological stain.
In dental practices, it is used as a plaque-disclosing agent, helping patients visualize plaque on their teeth.
Despite its usefulness, E 127 Erythrosine has raised safety concerns. Studies have indicated that high doses of Erythrosine may cause thyroid tumors in rats, which has led to regulatory scrutiny.
As a result, E 127 Erythrosine is banned or limited in several countries and is often replaced by other, more stable red dyes considered to be safer.
E 127 Erythrosine in high doses can cause hyperthyroidism in thyroid patients due to its iodine content, which is noticeable by general restlessness, nervousness and profuse sweating.
E 127 Erythrosine was mutagenic in test-tube experiments and in animal studies with mice.
The dye may also contain aluminum without it being stated on the label.
The metal is suspected of promoting dementia in the brain, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, but also hyperactivity and attention disorders.
E 127 Erythrosine can also act like a female sex hormone and is therefore one of the so-called metal estrogens.
As such, it can affect sexual functions and contribute to obesity.
Aluminum can also impair intestinal functions.
E 127 Erythrosine can change the composition of bacteria in the digestive tract (the so-called microbiome) and disrupt the immune system.
Experiments with mice have shown that it promotes inflammation and promotes so-called irritable bowel syndrome.
E 127 Erythrosine is synthesized from phenol and phthalic anhydride, which are processed into fluorescein.
Fluorescein then undergoes iodination, producing the bright red dye.
E 127 Erythrosine acts as an aesthetic enhancer.
E 127 Erythrosine is a water soluble synthetic dye that exhibits poor light fastness.
E 127 Erythrosine is available in the form of red powder. Used in decorative cosmetics.
E 127 Erythrosine, also known as Red No. 3, is an organoiodine compound, specically a derivative of uorone.
E 127 Erythrosine is cherry-pink synthetic, primarily used for food coloring.
E 127 Erythrosine is the disodium salt of 2,4,5,7-tetraiodouorescein.
E 127 Erythrosine is an articial red or cherry-pink food colouring made from coal tar.
E 127 Erythrosine is predominantly used as a food Colours.
E 127 Erythrosine is used to colour products like canned fruit, candy, pistachios, popsicles, maraschino cherries, cake decorating gels, and toothpaste.
E 127 Erythrosine is a synthetic red dye used primarily to color food.
Since dyes and additives must be listed on packaging in many countries, consumers may note that E127 (Erythrosine) can also be called E 127 Erythrosine, E 127, Red 14, or by its chemical name, disodium 2 (2,4,5,7-tetraiodo- 3-oxido- 6- oxoxanthen-9-yl) benzoate monohydrate.
E 127 Erythrosine is widely used as a coloring agent for foods, beverages, pharmaceutical preparations, and cosmetics.
E 127 Erythrosine has been evaluated for acceptable daily intake by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives in 1964, 1969 and 1974.
At the 18th Meeting (1974) of the Committee, an ADI of 0 - 2.5 mg/kg body weight was allocated.
Toxicological monographs, were published in 1970 and 1975.
Since the previous evaluation, additional data have become available and are summarized and discussed in the following monograph.
The previously published monographs have been expanded and are reproduced in their entirety below.
E 127 Erythrosine (C20H8I4O5) is commonly referred to as red dye.
E 127 Erythrosine is a food additive belonging to the category of synthetic iodine-based colorants.
E 127 Erythrosine is also known as Red No. 3, a synthetic dye commonly used in the food and pharmaceutical industries.
It imparts its distinct pink-red hue and is widely used to color various products, from candies to medications, with the molecular formula C20H6I4Na2O5.
Melting point: 142~144℃
Density: 0.98
Bulk density: 470kg/m³
Vapor pressure: 0Pa at 25℃
Flash point: 285℃
Storage temp.: Room temp
Solubility: 100g/l
Colour Index: 45430
pKa: 4.1 (at 25℃)
Form: Fine powder
Color: Deep red to brown
pH: 6-7 (10g/l, H₂O, 20℃)
pH Range: 0 (yellow) - 3.6 (red)
Water solubility: Soluble in water
ε (extinction coefficient): ≥13000 at 308-312nm, ≥32000 at 259-263nm
λmax: 525nm
Merck: 14,3693
BRN: 1443945
Stability: Stable. Incompatible with strong oxidizing agents.
Biological applications: Detecting gene expression, phosphoproteins, protease, stress biomarkers; treating age-related macular degeneration, arteriosclerosis, bone metabolic diseases, burns, cancer, diabetes, human immunodeficiency virus infection, obesity
Major applications: Color filter, light emitting diodes, nanosensors, imaging materials, inks, paints, colored bubbles, detergents, cleaners, cosmetics, oral care agent, hair dyes, antiseptic, treatment of burns, diabetes, obesity, cancer, viral diseases, radio chemotherapy, photodynamic therapy
InChIKey: RAGZEDHHTPQLAI-UHFFFAOYSA-L
E 127 Erythrosine, also called as eosin B, is a xanthene dye.
E 127 Erythrosine belongs to the family of fluorescein dyes. Erythrosin B is an artificial food dye that induces hyperkinesis when swallowed by susceptible children.
It plays a major role in inhibiting dopamine uptake and high affinity 3H-ouabain binding and ion transport in synaptosomes from rat caudate nucleus.
Beyond its role as a food dye, erythrosine is used in medicinal tablets and topical drugs to give them a recognizable color and improve visual appeal.
In dentistry, it is employed as a plaque-disclosing agent, helping patients and practitioners identify areas on the teeth where plaque has built up.
E 127 Erythrosine is also widely used in histology and cytology as a biological stain.
Because of its affinity for certain tissue components, it helps in visualizing cells and biological structures under a microscope.
Additionally, E 127 Erythrosine can be found in some types of eye drops and diagnostic imaging products.
One of the most discussed aspects of erythrosine is its potential health risks.
Animal studies have suggested that high levels of erythrosine consumption can lead to thyroid dysfunction and may be linked to an increased incidence of thyroid tumors in rats.
These findings have prompted regulatory bodies to review and, in some cases, limit or ban its use.
For instance, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved E 127 Erythrosine as FD&C Red No. 3 for food and oral drugs, but it has banned its use in cosmetics and externally applied drugs.
In contrast, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) permits it only in a limited range of products, and several countries have chosen to avoid it altogether.
There have also been concerns about hyperactivity in children, similar to other artificial food colorings, which has contributed to the ongoing debate about its safety in consumer products.
E 127 Erythrosine is soluble in water, and it displays fluorescent properties under UV light, which makes it useful for scientific visualization and research purposes.
It has a high molar absorptivity, meaning even small amounts can impart a strong color, which is both a benefit in terms of efficiency and a concern in terms of exposure.
Its stability is moderate; it can degrade under exposure to light or extreme pH, which limits its usage in some industrial applications.
However, its iodinated structure gives it better visibility and a longer-lasting stain in biological specimens.
An organic sodium salt that is the disodium salt of 2-(2,4,5,7-tetraiodo-6-oxido-3-oxo-8a,10a-dihydroxanthen-9-yl)benzoic acid.
In the food industry, E 127 Erythrosine has historically been used to impart a bright red or pink color to a variety of products.
These include candied cherries (such as glacé cherries), cake decorations, jellies, sweets, fruit-flavored beverages, and snack items.
E 127 Erythrosines vivid appearance makes it especially appealing in confectionery products and food marketed toward children.
However, due to rising health concerns, the use of erythrosine has declined significantly, and it is now restricted or banned in many countries, particularly in the European Union, where it is only allowed in certain preserved cherries and cocktail cherries.
E 127 Erythrosine, is a dry dye for microscopy that is often used as a counterstain, vizualising proteins, connective tissues, fibers and keratin in sample material of human origin.
Depending on user requirements and personal preferences, it can be used for the preparation of the commonly used aqueous or alcoholic Erythrosin B staining solutions.
As the dye belongs to the portfolio of Certistain? dyes, it is chemically analyzed according to strict specifications before release (CE marked and IVD product) and a high staining quality, with reliable staining results is guaranteed.
For more details, please see instructions for use (IFU).
The IFU can be downloaded from this webpage.
The colorant was discovered by the Swiss chemist Karl Kussmaul at the University of Basel in 1876 and soon commercialized by the local Bindschedler & Busch company for dyeing wool and silk.
Its use as a food dye was legalized in the US by the Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906.
By early 1920s, it was produced mainly for the food industry, with 2,170 pounds (0.98 t) made in America in 1924, rising to 9,468 pounds (4.29 t) in 1938 and approximately 50 tons in 1967.
E 127 Erythrosine, C20H6I4O5 is a reddish-pink synthetic dye.
E 127 Erythrosine is most popularly used as a food coloring agent and a host of other applications such as printing inks, a dental plaque disclosing agent, a biological stain and a radiopaque medium.
E 127 Erythrosine is used drugs and cosmetics, cocktails, tinned fruits, biscuits, chocolate, dressed crabs, garlic sausage, luncheon meat, salmon spread pate, scotch eggs, stued olives, sweets, bakery and snack foods.
E 127 Erythrosine, also known as Red No. 3, is an organoiodine compound, specically a derivative of uorone.
E 127 Erythrosine is a pink dye which is primarily used for food coloring.
E 127 Erythrosine is the disodium salt of 2,4,5,7-tetraiodouorescein.
E 127 Erythrosines maximum absorbance is at 530 nm in an aqueous solution, and it is subject to photodegradation.
E 127 Erythrosine is pigment red 172 aluminum lake colorant. The product used in soap, lipstick, mascara, eye shadow and make-up products.
E 127 Erythrosine is an artificially produced so-called fluorescent dye with a color scale from pink to red. With the acidity character of the environment, its color changes, the more acidic, the more intense it becomes.
The substance tolerates heat well, but light destroys its color power.
In certain manufacturing processes, it may also contain aluminum, in which case it belongs to a group of so-called aluminum lake colors.
E 127 Erythrosine, commonly referred to by its food additive code E127, is a synthetic organoiodine compound that belongs to the xanthene class of dyes, specifically derived from fluorescein.
E 127 Erythrosine has a distinctive bright pink to cherry red color due to the presence of four iodine atoms in its molecular structure.
These iodine atoms make the compound more visible and enhance its staining capabilities, particularly in biological and medical contexts.
The chemical formula of erythrosine is C20H6I4Na2O5, and it is commonly used in the form of its disodium salt.
E 127 Erythrosine is often listed under various names, such as FD&C Red No. 3, C.I. 45430, or Acid Red 51 depending on the regulatory system or industrial application.
Uses:
E 127 Erythrosine is a colorant.
E 127 Erythrosine is not recommended for use below ph 5.0, being insoluble at ph 3–5 but being stable at ph 7 and 8.
It has a solubility in water of 9 g/100 ml at 25°c.
E 127 Erythrosine has fair stability to oxidation and poor to fair stability to light, while having good stability in 10% sugar systems.
E 127 Erythrosine has exceptional clarity and brilliance, having a bluish pink hue with very good tinctorial strength.
It has poor compatibility with food components and is used in candies and confections as well as cherry dyeing.
The common name is erythrosine.
E 127 Erythrosine is used as a food coloring, printing ink, biological stain, dental plaque disclosing agent, radiopaque medium, sensitizer for orthochromatic photographic films, and visible light photoredox catalyst.
E 127 Erythrosine is commonly used in sweets, such as some candies, ice pops and cherries, and in cake-decorating gels.
E 127 Erythrosine was also used to color pistachio shells.
As a food additive, it has the E number E127.
E 127 Erythrosine may also be used in chemical analysis and dye tracing, where its distinctive coloration allows for easy detection in solutions or environmental studies such as tracking water flow in plumbing or mapping hydrological systems.
In such cases, its strong visual profile and water solubility make it effective in visualizing flow paths or detecting leaks, although it is less commonly used today due to the availability of more stable and less controversial alternatives.
In addition to candied cherries and baked goods, E 127 Erythrosine has historically been used in processed meats, such as certain types of sausages or canned meats, to give them a more appealing and uniform reddish hue, often simulating freshness or quality.
E 127 Erythrosine has also been used in seasonal and novelty foods, such as Easter candies, Valentine’s Day sweets, or holiday-themed desserts, where bright and vibrant colors are a marketing feature.
Before regulatory limits were introduced, erythrosine was a common ingredient in fruit-flavored popsicles, sherbets, and artificially flavored drinks, where it helped distinguish flavors visually (e.g., red for cherry or strawberry).
In some countries, it was even used in powdered drink mixes and ice cream toppings to achieve a consistent and attractive color.
Because of its excellent solubility in water, it mixes easily into both liquid and semi-solid food matrices, which made it especially useful in the industrial preparation of colorful products.
In biological labs, erythrosine can be used as an alternative to eosin in some staining protocols, especially when a fluorescent label is desired or when iodine content is needed for specific experiments.
E 127 Erythrosine has been used to differentiate acidic and basic cell components, and can help in identifying connective tissues, cytoplasmic granules, and other microscopic features depending on the staining technique.
E 127 Erythrosines use in cell viability assays is also notable: erythrosine may function as a negative stain, where only dead or compromised cells absorb the dye, making it useful in cytotoxicity testing and drug research.
In molecular biology, E 127 Erythrosine has been occasionally used as a tracking dye in electrophoresis gels, particularly when observing the movement of DNA or RNA samples, although this is less common today with the advent of modern fluorescent markers.
E 127 Erythrosine is a derivative of fluorone and is used as a cherry-pink synthetic colour additives used on food products.
E 127 Erythrosine has traditionally been used as a synthetic food dye to give various edible products a bright cherry-pink to red hue, making them more visually appealing, particularly to children and consumers attracted by vibrant colors.
One of its most well-known applications is in the coloring of candied or glacé cherries, where its intense red tone gives the cherries a vivid, glossy appearance often seen in fruitcakes, pastries, and cocktail garnishes.
E 127 Erythrosine has also been added to jams, jellies, soft drinks, cake icings, gelatins, snack foods, and bakery items, although its usage in such foods has declined due to growing health concerns and regulatory restrictions.
Because of its high visibility and strong tinting strength, only small amounts are needed to achieve a noticeable effect, which made it economically favorable in large-scale food production before safety concerns limited its usage.
Beyond dental plaque identification, E 127 Erythrosine has been employed in ophthalmic diagnostics, particularly in conjunctival and corneal staining, where it assists in identifying damage or dryness in the eye’s surface.
Eye care professionals may use erythrosine-based drops as a visual aid when assessing conditions like dry eye syndrome, corneal abrasions, or contact lens-related irritation.
In some countries, E 127 Erythrosine is still used in capsule coatings or in over-the-counter syrups to distinguish flavors or dosages visually—such as red coloring to indicate cherry or strawberry flavor in children’s medicine.
E 127 Erythrosines use also extends into gastrointestinal diagnostic procedures, where dyes are sometimes required to highlight structures during endoscopy or imaging.
In the pharmaceutical field, E 127 Erythrosine is commonly used as a coloring agent in tablets, capsules, and syrups to enhance their appearance, assist in product identification, and improve consumer compliance by making medicines more visually distinctive and palatable.
Additionally, erythrosine serves as a diagnostic aid, especially in dental practices, where it is formulated into plaque-disclosing tablets or solutions that temporarily stain areas on the teeth where plaque is present, allowing both patients and dental professionals to easily identify and clean those areas.
In some medical applications, erythrosine is used in eye drops and other diagnostic agents to highlight damaged cells or tissues, especially because of its fluorescent properties under certain lighting conditions.
E 127 Erythrosine also finds use in surgical staining procedures, where it helps mark and identify tissues during delicate operations.
In the realm of scientific research and biological studies, erythrosine is employed as a biological stain or histological dye, where it helps scientists observe and differentiate between various cellular structures under a microscope.
E 127 Erythrosine binds selectively to cell components, making it useful in both routine microscopy and specialized fluorescence-based imaging, particularly for highlighting nuclei and cytoplasmic details in tissue samples.
Its ability to fluoresce under UV light makes it a valuable tool in fluorescence microscopy, aiding in detailed visualization in bacteriology, histopathology, and cytology.
Historically, E 127 Erythrosine was also included in lipsticks, blushes, and other personal care products as a colorant, where it provided a vibrant red or pink hue.
However, its use in cosmetics has been banned or severely restricted in many regions, including the United States, where the FDA prohibits its use in cosmetics and externally applied drugs due to concerns over potential health risks such as carcinogenicity and thyroid effects.
Some countries may still allow its use in non-permanent hair dyes or nail products, but overall its presence in cosmetics has largely disappeared.
In earlier decades, E 127 Erythrosine was widely used in lip glosses, eyeshadows, face powders, and blush products, where it provided a rosy tint that was especially popular in vintage and retro makeup palettes.
It also played a role in temporary hair coloring products, including children's hair sprays or costume colors, where the temporary nature of the color was acceptable and appealing for events or holidays.
Due to stricter regulations and health concerns, erythrosine has been replaced by safer and more stable colorants in modern cosmetic formulations.
Its use today is generally disallowed or heavily restricted, especially in products that remain on the skin or are applied near mucous membranes.
In environmental science, E 127 Erythrosine has been used as a tracer dye for mapping water movement through streams, plumbing systems, and soil.
By adding small amounts of the dye to water sources, researchers or engineers can visually track flow paths, detect blockages, or observe the spread of contaminants.
E 127 Erythrosine’s bright color and visibility at low concentrations make it ideal for these purposes, especially in areas where equipment like UV detectors isn’t readily available.
However, more stable dyes with less biological concern, such as fluorescein or rhodamine, are now preferred.
It may also be used in ink formulations or technical color markers for non-edible or industrial applications, especially when a red color is required that will dissolve in water.
E 127 Erythrosine has been studied for use in photodynamic therapy (PDT), where certain light-sensitive dyes are activated by light to kill cells, such as in cancer treatment.
While erythrosine is not widely used in clinical PDT, its structure and fluorescent properties have made it a subject of preliminary research in these areas.
Additionally, the dye has been explored for use in controlled drug delivery systems, where it may help track or visualize how a drug spreads or is absorbed in the body.
These uses are largely experimental but show the potential for erythrosine in nanomedicine or targeted therapy systems.
Safety Profile:
Laboratory studies in the late 20th century suggested that "chronic erythrosine ingestion may promote thyroid tumor formation in rats via chronic stimulation of the thyroid by TSH" at concentrations of 4% erythrosine.
Toxicology tests combined with a review of other reported studies concluded that E 127 Erythrosine is non-genotoxic and any tumor growth results from a non-genotoxic mechanism.
In the United States, laboratory evidence of carcinogenicity of extremely high doses of erythrosine renders it as "unsafe" under federal law by a provision called the Delaney Clause, despite conclusions by the federal Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition and Cancer Assessment Committee that the risk of developing cancer in humans is unlikely at the low erythrosine levels consumed as a food color.
Throughout the early 21st century, the World Health Organization and several national food safety agencies permitted use of E 127 Erythrosine as a color additive when used in amounts below acceptable daily intake levels for certain foods, such as for packaged cherries; countries having restricted-use provisions were the European Union, United States, Canada, and Australia/New Zealand.
Since 1994, the European Food Safety Authority has only allowed erythrosine in processed cherries, pet foods, and up to 25 ppm in toothpaste.
In the United Kingdom, it is also allowed for coloring eggshells.
E 127 Erythrosine may not be sold directly to consumers.
In the United States, the use of E 127 Erythrosine in cosmetics, topical drugs, some foods, and in all uses as its lake variant have been banned by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) since 1990.
In January 2025, the FDA banned the use of erythrosine in all foods and ingested drugs, with enforcement beginning on 15 January 2027 and 18 January 2028, respectively.
An October 2023 bill passed in the state of California also banned the use of erythrosine in foods (along with brominated vegetable oil, potassium bromate, and propylparaben), with enforcement beginning on 1 January 2027.
