Is Red 4 Safe to Eat? Understanding the Two Red 4 Dyes
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3 min read
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.