Red 40 — Allura Red AC
E129 CAS 25956-17-6
Commonly found in
Skittles (US), Pop-Tarts, Kool-Aid, Doritos Cool Ranch, Gatorade, fruit-flavored cereals, candy coatings, sodas, store-bought icing.
EU status
Permitted but requires the warning label "may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children" since 2010 (Reg. 1333/2008, Annex V).
US status
Approved by FDA. No federal warning label required. California AB 2316 (2024) bans Red 40 in foods served in K–12 public schools, effective 2027.
Note
One of the "Southampton Six" implicated in the McCann et al. 2007 Lancet trial linking mixed dye intake to inattention/hyperactivity in children.
Yellow 5 — Tartrazine
E102 CAS 1934-21-0
Commonly found in
Mountain Dew, Mac & Cheese (US Kraft Original), Lucky Charms, lemon-lime sodas, pickles, mustard, candy.
EU status
Permitted with the same "adverse effect on activity and attention in children" warning since 2010.
US status
Approved. FDA requires explicit "FD&C Yellow No. 5 (tartrazine)" labeling because of documented allergic/asthmatic reactions in a small fraction of users (21 CFR 74.705).
Note
Southampton Six. Was banned in Norway and Austria prior to EU harmonization.
Blue 1 — Brilliant Blue FCF
E133 CAS 3844-45-9
Commonly found in
Blue M&Ms, blue raspberry candies/icings, Powerade Mountain Berry Blast, mint chocolate chip ice cream (some brands).
EU status
Permitted, no behavioral warning required.
Note
Was historically banned in France, Norway, Finland (pre-EU harmonization). Now permitted EU-wide.
Blue 2 — Indigotine (Indigo Carmine)
E132 CAS 860-22-0
Commonly found in
Pet foods (heavy use), candy coatings, some baked goods.
EU status
Permitted, no behavioral warning required.
Note
1980s NTP rodent study reported brain tumor signal; FDA review concluded data insufficient to ban.
Green 3 — Fast Green FCF
E143 CAS 2353-45-9
Commonly found in
Canned peas (some brands), mint jelly, sherbet, salad dressings.
EU status
Banned in food (not on EU permitted-additives list).
US status
Approved. Rare in US food supply — most manufacturers use Blue 1 + Yellow 5 blends instead.
Note
EU never authorized for food use.
Red 3 — Erythrosine
E127 CAS 16423-68-0
Commonly found in
Maraschino cherries, candy corn, strawberry-flavored Nesquik, some pink sausage casings, oral medications and dental disclosing tablets.
EU status
Permitted only in cocktail/candied cherries since 1994.
US status
Banned in cosmetics and externally applied drugs since 1990 (FDA, citing rat thyroid tumors). Banned in all food and ingested drugs by FDA on 2025-01-15, with phase-out deadlines: foods by 2027-01-15, ingested drugs by 2028-01-18.
Note
The 1990 cosmetic ban + 2025 food ban span 35 years on the same Delaney-Clause carcinogenicity finding.