GoodSwap Get notified

Food additive · Color

Citrus Red 2

CAS
6358-53-8

A synthetic dye once used only on the skins of some oranges. The FDA proposed revoking it in 2026 because the use appears abandoned.

  • Food additive
  • Synthetic dye
  • Color (added)
  • Petroleum-derived dye
  • Ultra-processing marker
  • Expert review pending
High concern Level 3 of 4 How concern levels work

A regulatory warning or restriction somewhere, or strong evidence of harm at typical intake. The concern level sets how many points Citrus Red 2 costs on a product’s receipt.

What the evidence says

  • IARC Group 2B (possibly carcinogenic)Strong evidence

    IARC classifies Citrus Red No. 2 as Group 2B (possibly carcinogenic to humans). [1]

  • Being phased outRegulatory

    In July 2026 the FDA proposed revoking its listing because it has not been certified for food since 2020. [2]

Evidence tiers say how sure the evidence is, separately from how much it matters. About evidence tiers.

Rules around the world

WhereStatusDetailsDateSource
United States Ban proposed Allowed only on the skins of oranges (max 2 ppm); FDA proposed revoking the listing on July 23, 2026. Jul 23, 2026 [2]
European Union Not permitted Not on the EU Union list of food colors. — [3]
Canada Restricted Permitted only on the skins of whole oranges, up to 2 ppm. — [4]

“Banned” means explicitly prohibited or withdrawn after review; “not permitted” means never authorized there. We use each regulator’s own words.

Diets and allergens

Vegan
Yes
Vegetarian
Yes
Gluten-free
Yes

For the ingredient in general. Always check the package: a product’s own labels win.

Names GoodSwap recognizes on labels (3)
  • citrus red 2
  • citrus red no 2
  • color added citrus red 2

Sources

  1. Agents Classified by the IARC Monographs, Volumes 1–142 (List of Classifications)

    International Agency for Research on Cancer (WHO) · IARC

    monographs.iarc.who.int

  2. Proposal To Revoke the Color Additive Listing for Use of Citrus Red No. 2 on the Skins of Mature Oranges (91 FR 46330)

    Federal Register (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) · Jul 23, 2026 · Regulator

    “Based on certification data, it appears that Citrus Red No. 2 is no longer used for coloring the skins of oranges and has not been certified for use as a color additive in food marketed in the United States since 2020.”

    federalregister.gov

  3. Commission Regulation (EU) No 1129/2011 of 11 November 2011 amending Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 by establishing a Union list of food additives

    European Union (Official Journal) · Nov 11, 2011 · Law

    “E 127 Erythrosine 200 only cocktail cherries and candied cherries”

    eur-lex.europa.eu

  4. 3. List of Permitted Food Colours: Citrus Red No. 2 (item C.8)

    Health Canada · Oct 20, 2025 · Regulator

    “C.8 Citrus Red No. 2Footnote * n/a Skins of whole oranges Food colour 2 ppm”

    canada.ca