What is Red Iron Oxide in Food? Exploring the E172 Food Colorant
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4 min read
While the mineral hematite has been used as a pigment for thousands of years, food-grade red iron oxide (E172) is now primarily produced synthetically to ensure purity and consistency. This versatile food colorant, also known as ferric oxide, imparts a strong, stable deep red hue to a variety of processed foods and pharmaceuticals.
