Tag: Red 33

While largely banned for food use in the U.S. and some other regions, the synthetic red dye known as Red 33 (or Carmoisine) is still permitted and used in food production in many other countries. Understanding what foods contain Red 33 is crucial for those who are sensitive to artificial colorings or adhere to specific dietary restrictions.

In early 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) banned Red Dye No. 3 in food and ingestible drugs due to cancer concerns identified in animal studies, yet the debate over other synthetic colorants like Red 40 persists. This evolving regulatory landscape has led many consumers to question the safety of other dyes, specifically asking if Red 33 is a safer alternative to Red 40.

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has established specific limitations for the use of D&C Red No. 33, a color additive often confused with the recently banned food dye FD&C Red No. 3. While Red 33 is not approved for food use, it has defined parameters for its inclusion in certain ingested pharmaceuticals.

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.

According to regulatory bodies like the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Commission, Red 33 (CI 17200) is considered safe for its approved uses in cosmetics and drugs. However, consumer concern persists regarding the safety of synthetic colorants, especially when considering potential allergies and specific usage limitations.

In early 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) finalized a ban on the food color additive FD&C Red No. 3 due to its link to cancer in animal studies. This regulatory action has caused significant public confusion, with many people mistakenly conflating it with the different cosmetic dye, D&C **Red 33**. The crucial question, 'is red 33 bad for you?', is best answered by understanding the distinct safety profiles and uses of these two different dyes.