Erythrosine

Erythrosine (Tetraiodofluorescein) is a cherry-pink coal-based fluorone food dye. Its maximum absorbance is at 530 nm^[1] in an aqueous solution, and it is subject to photodegradation^{[citation needed]}.

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Classification

It is listed under the following number systems:

• FD&C Red No. 3
• E number E127 (Food Red 14)
• Color Index no. 45430 (Acid Red 51)
• Indian Standards No. 1697

Uses

It is used as a food dye, in printing inks, as a biological stain, a dental plaque disclosing agent and a radiopaque medium. Although Red #3 has been highly implicated as a carcinogen, it is commonly used in sweets and foods marketed to children such as candies, popsicles, cake frosting,^{[citation needed]} and cake-decorating gel.^[2] It is also used in strawberry Slim-Fast and its generic counterpart.^{[citation needed]} McCormick uses it as well in their "Salad Toppins." Because of the well-known hazards of Red #3, Red #40 is much more commonly used by most food manufacturers.^{[citation needed]}

References

1. ^ http://wwwchem.uwimona.edu.jm:1104/lectures/ecode.html
2. ^ E.g., CakeMate pink, Signature Brands, LLC, Ocala, Florida, USA [Purchased at Harris Teeter grocery, Arlington, Virginia, 4 November 2007]