Is INS 172 Safe? Understanding Iron Oxides and Their Use in Food
                                
                                
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                                    5 min read                                
                            
                                According to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), an adequate safety assessment for INS 172 could not be carried out as of 2015 due to insufficient data, though it remains widely used. This uncertainty has led to public concern regarding the safety of iron oxides and hydroxides when added to food and other consumer products.