What Are Synthetic Food Colors Made Of?

Food coloring is anything added to food or beverages for the purpose of changing its color. Dyes are added to food to enhance or correct color due to storage conditions and natural imperfections.

Food, Drug, and Cosmetic (FD&C) Blue No. 1

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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.