What Are Synthetic Food Colors Made Of?
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Food, Drug, and Cosmetic (FD&C) Blue No. 1
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Also known as E133 in the European Union (EU), Brilliant Blue FCF is a synthetic food coloring made from coal tar. Common uses are soft drinks, shampoos and mouthwash.
FD&C Blue No. 2
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Indigotine, known as E132 in the EU, is composed of three chemicals, with the major component being the sodium salt of Indigotindisulfonate. The primary use is in confections.
FD&C Red No. 40
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Derived from coal tar, Allura Red AC, which is E129 in the EU, is used in red soft drinks and candies.
FD&C Red No. 3
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Erythrosine is a dark pink, coal-derived food coloring---designated E127 in the EU---used in Popsicles, fruit cocktail cherries and dyed pistachio shells.
FD&C Yellow No. 5
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Called E102 in the EU, tartrazine is a yellow shade derived from coal tar and the most common food-coloring additive. Products containing FD&C Yellow No. 5 include: Mountain Dew, Doritos, and jellies.
FD&C Yellow No. 6 and FD&C Green No.3
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Another coal tar based dye, Sunset Yellow FCF, or E110 in the EU, appears in orange squash, cheese sauces, and in the cold-remedy DayQuil. FD&C Green No. 3, known as E143 in the EU, is rarely used.
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