Tag: Fd c red no 4

In 1976, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) banned the synthetic dye FD&C Red No. 4 from all ingestible products due to safety concerns raised by scientific studies. The answer to whether red number 4 is bad, however, depends entirely on which version of the color additive you are asking about, a crucial distinction that most people are not aware of.

Did you know that some red dyes are sourced from insects, not plants? The question, "is red 4 a natural dye?" has a nuanced answer, as the term can refer to both synthetic and naturally-derived colorants, causing widespread consumer confusion.

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the synthetic FD&C Red No. 4 is no longer approved for use in foods, but the natural dye known as Natural Red 4, or carmine, remains permissible. The question of 'is red 4 safe to eat?' depends entirely on which version of 'Red 4' is being considered, as their origins, uses, and safety profiles are completely different.