Tag: Iron oxide nanoparticles

While E172, a common food coloring derived from iron oxides, is largely considered safe for human consumption within regulated limits, scientific bodies have identified some areas of concern. Primarily used to add color to a variety of foods, the safety of E172 has been under re-evaluation, especially regarding the presence of nanoscale particles and potential contaminants.

Iron oxides exist naturally in many rocks and soils, famously giving red and yellow hues to earth and minerals like hematite. The critical question of whether iron oxide is good or bad for you depends on its specific type, purity, and how it is encountered, from FDA-approved pigments in makeup to harmful industrial dust and fumes.