Tag: Synthetic food color

Did you know that E160a, also known as carotenes, can be derived from both natural plant sources and synthetic chemical processes? This fact often surprises consumers, who may assume that all food additives designated with an 'E' number are purely artificial.

The color additive FD&C Green No. 3, known chemically as Fast Green FCF, is approved by the FDA for use in various food products like beverages, baked goods, and candies. Understanding what are the numbers for green food dye is crucial for identifying ingredients on product labels, differentiating between synthetic and natural options, and experimenting with your own color mixes.

As of January 2025, the FDA officially banned Red Dye 3 from use in foods and ingested drugs in the U.S., making the question 'what is red dye 3 made out of?' more relevant than ever for consumers focused on a clean nutrition diet. The decision came decades after the dye was linked to health concerns in animal studies.