Tag: Dye

Native to coastal regions across tropical America and Africa, the cocoplum plant (*Chrysobalanus icaco*) is utilized for a surprising variety of purposes, including edible fruit, landscaping, and traditional medicine. It is a versatile evergreen shrub or small tree highly valued in its native range for both its practical and ecological benefits.

Despite common confusion with food additives, Red 7 (also known as HC Red No. 7) is a synthetic chemical used primarily in hair dyes and cosmetics, where it is generally considered safe for its intended use. It is crucial to distinguish this specific cosmetic colorant from food dyes that have faced more significant regulatory and health scrutiny.

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), D&C Red No. 33 is a certifiable color additive that is indeed approved for specific uses in drugs and cosmetics, subject to strict regulations and quantity limits. This regulatory status differentiates it significantly from the recently banned color additive, FD&C Red No. 3.

Over 70,000 cochineal beetles are needed to produce just one pound of the vibrant crimson dye known as carmine. This fact alone highlights the primary difference: carmine is a specific, natural red pigment, while red is a general category of color that can be derived from countless natural and artificial sources.