What is E123?
Complete guide to understanding E123 (Amaranth) in your food
The Quick Answer
E123 is a synthetic red azo dye used to color foods deep red.
It was historically used in jams, beverages, cured meats, and confectionery before being banned in many countries.
It was banned in the USA in 1976 as a suspected carcinogen and remains banned or severely restricted in most countries due to reproductive/developmental toxicity and allergic reactions.
📌 Quick Facts
- Category: Synthetic azo food colorant (red dye)
- Also Known As: FD&C Red No. 2 (USA), Azorubin S, Acid Red 27, Food Red 9
- Made From: Coal tar/petroleum derivatives via chemical synthesis
- Historical Use: Jams, soft drinks, cured meats, cakes, confectionery
- Current Status: Banned in USA (1976); Restricted/Banned in most countries; Only approved in UK and few others
- ADI (EFSA): 0.15 mg/kg body weight per day (dramatically lowered due to reproductive toxicity)
What Exactly Is It?
E123 is a synthetic azo dye chemically derived from coal tar or petroleum.
Its chemical names include Amaranth, FD&C Red No. 2, Azorubin S, Acid Red 27, or CI 16185.
It’s a deep red water-soluble powder with a reddish-brown to dark red color.
Like all azo dyes, it contains the characteristic –N=N– (azo) double bond that creates color but also raises health concerns.
The name “amaranth” was given because it resembled the red color of amaranth grain, though the dye itself is entirely synthetic.
History: From Approval to Banning
Timeline of E123/Red No. 2:
• Early 1900s-1960s: Red No. 2 widely used in foods, approved by FDA
• 1960: FDA given jurisdiction over color additives; Red No. 2 given “provisional GRAS” status
• 1969: Moscow Institute of Nutrition study linked Red No. 2 to increased tumors in rats
• 1971: Additional studies raised carcinogenic concerns
• 1976: FDA banned Red No. 2 as a food additive (still allowed in textiles)
• 1980s: Most countries followed USA and banned E123
• 2010: EFSA re-evaluated and established very low ADI of 0.15 mg/kg due to reproductive toxicity
• Today: Only approved in UK and a few other countries; banned in USA, EU, Canada, Australia
Where You Found It (Historical)
E123 historically appeared in many foods (before banning):
• Jams, jellies, and preserves
• Soft drinks and beverages
• Cured and processed meats
• Cakes, pastries, and baked goods
• Confectionery and candies
• Glacé cherries (UK)
• Ice cream and frozen desserts
• Yogurts and dairy products
• Sauces and condiments
• Puddings and desserts
Current Approval Status: E123 is banned in the USA, EU (except imported foods), Canada, and Australia. It’s only approved in the UK and a handful of other countries, primarily for use in glacé cherries and some imported foods.
Why Was It Banned? Health Concerns
E123 was banned due to multiple serious health concerns:
Critical Reproductive & Developmental Toxicity (Primary Reason): 2011 animal studies showed that E123 at doses as low as 10 times the ADI caused severe fetal abnormalities in rats:
• 27.8% of fetuses showed growth retardation
• 25% showed skeletal abnormalities (incomplete ossification of skull bones, missing metacarpal/metatarsal bones)
• 8.3% showed visceral abnormalities (hypoplasia of heart and lungs)
• Teratogenic effects (birth defects) observed even at relatively low doses relative to other dyes
These findings led EFSA to dramatically lower the ADI to 0.15 mg/kg—one of the lowest ADIs for any food colorant.
What Are The Health Concerns?
E123 has multiple documented serious health concerns:
Reproductive and developmental toxicity (PRIMARY REASON FOR BAN): Animal studies show E123 causes fetal abnormalities including growth retardation, skeletal defects (incomplete bone ossification, missing bones), and organ abnormalities (heart/lung hypoplasia) at moderate doses. This is one of the strongest safety concerns for any food dye.
Carcinogenicity (Reason for Original USA Ban): The 1969 Moscow Institute of Nutrition study found increased tumors in rats fed E123, though the FDA’s own studies were inconclusive. While carcinogenicity hasn’t been definitively proven in humans, the concern was serious enough to trigger the 1976 FDA ban.
Allergic reactions and hypersensitivity: E123, as an azo dye, commonly triggers allergic reactions in sensitive individuals—hives, rashes, angioedema, respiratory issues. It’s particularly problematic for people with salicylate intolerance and aspirin sensitivity.
Asthma exacerbation: E123 is a histamine liberator and can intensify asthma symptoms, particularly when combined with other synthetic dyes or preservatives like sodium benzoate (E211).
Hyperactivity in children: Studies show E123 combined with other synthetic colors and sodium benzoate increases hyperactivity-like behavior in children.
Genotoxicity concerns (not definitively proven): While EFSA concluded in 2010 that genotoxicity effects don’t result in carcinogenicity, the agency acknowledged genotoxic findings in laboratory studies.
Regulatory Differences
Geographic approval differences:
USA: Banned (1976) – not permitted in any food
EU: Banned in most member states; a few historically approved products remain grandfathered
Canada: Banned
Australia/NZ: Banned
UK: Still approved; primarily used in glacé cherries (heritage product)
Russia: Approved (ironically, despite the Soviet study that triggered the USA ban)
The E123 Ban: A Landmark Food Safety Case
E123/Red No. 2’s ban is historically significant because:
First major food dye ban: It was one of the first times the FDA removed an approved food additive from use based on safety concerns.
Public awareness catalyst: The ban sparked widespread public awareness about synthetic food colorants and concerns about chemical additives generally.
Cultural impact: Mars famously discontinued red M&M candies from 1976-1985 in response to public concern (though it had never used Red No. 2), demonstrating the dye’s cultural significance.
Regulatory precedent: The ban established that approval can be withdrawn if safety concerns emerge, setting a precedent for future dye regulations.
Natural Alternatives
After E123’s ban, manufacturers switched to alternative red colorants:
• Allura Red (E129/Red No. 40) – synthetic dye used as replacement
• Carmine/Cochineal (E120) – natural dye from insects
• Beetroot Red/Betanin (E162) – natural dye from beets
• Anthocyanins (E163) – natural dyes from berries
• No coloring – accept naturally colored products
The Bottom Line
E123 (Amaranth) is a synthetic red azo dye that was banned in the USA in 1976 due to carcinogenic concerns and is now banned or severely restricted in most countries due to reproductive/developmental toxicity, particularly fetal birth defects observed in animal studies.
Historic Significance: E123’s ban was one of the first major food dye removals from approval and sparked widespread public awareness about synthetic food colorants and chemical additives generally.
If You Live in the USA, EU, Canada, or Australia: E123 is banned in your food supply. You will not find it in domestically produced foods.
If You Live in the UK: E123 is still approved and may appear in imported foods or traditional products like glacé cherries. Check ingredient labels if concerned.
Implications: E123’s ban demonstrates that regulatory agencies can and will remove additives that prove unsafe—though it took decades and multiple studies. The case serves as a cautionary tale about thoroughly testing synthetic colorants before approval, and it supports modern scrutiny of other synthetic dyes (like Yellow 5 and Yellow 6, which are now facing similar FDA elimination efforts).