Red 2 (Amaranth)
High ConcernAlso known as
The concern
Banned in the USA since 1976 after studies indicated it may cause cancer in animals. Still permitted in some countries including Russia and EU for limited uses.
What to look for on labels
This ingredient may appear under any of the following names or codes on product labels:
- Red 2 (Amaranth)
- red 2
- amaranth
- e123
- fd&c red no. 2
Commonly found in
Sweets, soft drinks, cereals, ice cream, sauces, confectionery
Other artificial colours to know about
Red 3 (Erythrosine)
HIGHFDA banned Red 3 in food and ingested drugs in January 2025 after studies showed it causes thyroid tumours in male rats.
Red 40 (Allura Red)
MEDIUMOne of the "Southampton Six" food dyes.
Yellow 5 (Tartrazine)
MEDIUMSouthampton Six dye linked to hyperactivity in children.
Yellow 6 (Sunset Yellow)
MEDIUMData sourced from IARC, FDA, EFSA, WHO and EWG public data. For informational purposes only. This does not constitute medical or legal advice.