Erythrosine
E127
E127, INS 127, erythrosine, FD&C Red No. 3, Red 3, Red Dye No. 3, CI 45430, CI Food Red 14, Food Red 14
What it is
Erythrosine (E127 / INS 127), also known in the United States as FD&C Red No. 3, is a synthetic red food colour that contains iodine.
Why BOTIA flags it
Erythrosine is a red colour that contains iodine, and sustained high doses can alter thyroid function. In male rats it produced thyroid tumours through a rat-specific hormonal mechanism, and that is why the FDA ordered its food authorisation revoked in 2025 under the Delaney Clause; the food deadline is January 2027. This is a regional decision, not a worldwide ban. JECFA confirmed its ADI of 0–0.1 mg/kg body weight in 2018.
BOTIA CAN
- Detect E127, INS 127, erythrosine, FD&C Red No. 3 and its other declared names in the ingredient list.
- Explain the thyroid findings, the rat-specific hormonal mechanism, the FDA revocation and JECFA's ADI.
BOTIA CANNOT
- Determine how much erythrosine is present in a particular product when the amount is not declared.
- Turn thyroid tumours in high-dose rat studies or the US regulatory decision into the thyroid or cancer risk of a particular product or person.