Erythrosin, Erythrosis, Pink Food Color, E127, 16423-68-0

CAS 16423-68-0 - Erythrosine (E127) 

1. IDENTITY AND CLASSIFICATION

CAS Number: 16423-68-0
EINECS Number: 240-474-8
Chemical Formula: C₂₀H₆I₄Na₂O₅
Molar Mass: 879.86 g/mol
Melting Point: 142-144 °C (288-291 °F; 415-417 K)
E Number: E127
Other Names:

• FD&C Red No. 3

• Red No. 3

• Disodium 2-(2,4,5,7-tetraiodo-3-oxo-6-oxoxanthen-9-yl)benzoate

• C.I. 45430

• Erythrosine B

Chemical Class: Fluoran derivative, organoiodine compound, xanthene dye

2. PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES

3. APPLICATIONS AND USES

3.1 Food Industry

Erythrosine (E127) is used as a synthetic cherry pink food colorant:

• Maraschino cherries and candied cherries

• Canned fruits

• Cake decorating gels and icings

• Colored pistachio shells

• Certain confectionery products

• Frozen desserts

3.2 Other Industrial Applications

• Dentistry: Dental plaque disclosing tablets (leaves red residue on teeth to identify plaque areas)

• Printing ink: Red and cherry pink ink production

• Textiles: Wool and silk dyeing (limited use)

• Cosmetics: Lipstick and blush formulations (varies by country)

• Biological staining: Contrast dye in histological preparations

4. REGULATORY STATUS (CURRENT 2024-2025)

4.1 Turkey

According to the Turkish Food Codex Regulation on Colorants:

• Permitted only in cocktail cherries and canned cherries

• Maximum limit: 200 mg/kg

• Use in other food products is prohibited

4.2 United States (FDA)

• FDA 2024 update: FD&C Red No. 3 has been banned in cosmetics and topical drugs

• Still permitted in foods, but gradual ban in foods planned for 2025-2026

• California Food Safety Act (AB 418), passed in 2023, will ban Red No. 3 as of 2027

4.3 European Union

• Limited use restricted to cocktail cherries and canned cherries

• EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) 2024 assessment: ADI (Acceptable Daily Intake) value revised to 0-0.1 mg/kg body weight/day

4.4 Other Countries

5. CURRENT HEALTH ASSESSMENTS (2024-2025)

5.1 Toxicological Profile

Thyroid Effects:

• Iodine in erythrosine structure releases free iodine when metabolized

• Animal studies (rats) observed thyroid hyperplasia and follicular cell adenomas at high doses

• Human epidemiological studies are limited, but caution is recommended for individuals with thyroid sensitivity

Neurobehavioral Effects:

• Southampton Study (2007): Potential association between synthetic colors (including erythrosine) and hyperactivity in children

• EFSA 2024 report noted possible links to attention deficit in some children

Carcinogenicity:

• National Toxicology Program (NTP) - Thyroid tumors in rats

• IARC classification: Group 3 (not classifiable as carcinogenic to humans)

• FDA banned in topical drugs and cosmetics in 1990, continued in foods

Photosensitivity:

• Rare cases of phototoxicity and photoallergic reactions reported

5.2 ADI (Acceptable Daily Intake) Value

Maximum 7 mg daily for a 70 kg adult

6. ALTERNATIVES

Natural and synthetic alternatives to erythrosine:

7. RETAILER POLICIES (2025 UPDATE)

United Kingdom:

• ASDA has not used erythrosine in private label products since 2007

• Tesco, Sainsbury's, Waitrose - Discontinued use in private label products in 2023-2024

United States:

• Whole Foods, Trader Joe's - Red No. 3 free products

• As of 2024, many national brands are in reformulation process

Turkey:

• Increased label inspections for imported products

• Domestic production limited only to cherry products

8. LABORATORY ANALYSIS METHODS

• HPLC-DAD: High performance liquid chromatography

• LC-MS/MS: Trace determination in foods

• UV-VIS Spectrophotometry: Quantitative analysis at 524-530 nm

• Post-consumption urine analysis: Metabolism studies

9. SUMMARY AND EVALUATION

Erythrosine (E127), in light of current scientific data and regulations:

Advantages:

• Effective coloring at low concentrations

• Bright, stable cherry pink tone

• Kosher certified options available

Risks and Restrictions:

• Potential effects on thyroid function

• Possible association with hyperactivity in children

• Increasingly strict global regulations

• Permitted only in cherry products in many countries

Conclusion: In line with international regulations and consumer demands, erythrosine use is becoming increasingly restricted, and food manufacturers are转向 natural alternatives. More comprehensive restrictions are expected in the US and EU during the 2025-2027 period, with California leading the phase-out by 2027.