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Food additive · Color

Green 3

E-number
E143
CAS
2353-45-9

A synthetic green dye (fast green FCF) used in a few candies, drinks and mixes. It is not permitted in EU food.

  • Food additive
  • Synthetic dye
  • Color (added)
  • Petroleum-derived dye
  • Ultra-processing marker
  • Expert review pending
Moderate concern Level 2 of 4 How concern levels work

Strong evidence of harm at high intake, emerging evidence of harm, or a common allergen or irritant. The concern level sets how many points Green 3 costs on a product’s receipt.

What the evidence says

  • Being phased outRegulatory

    The FDA is working with industry to remove six petroleum-based dyes from US food by the end of 2027; California bans them in school meals from December 31, 2027. [1][2]

  • Not permitted in food somewhereRegulatory

    Not on the EU list of authorized food colors. [3]

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

Rules around the world

WhereStatusDetailsDateSource
European Union Not permitted Not on the EU Union list of food colors. — [3]
United States Permitted Listed for use in food. In April 2025 the FDA asked industry to phase petroleum-based dyes out of food; its pledge tracker targets the end of 2027. — [4]
Canada Permitted On Health Canada's List of Permitted Food Colours, with conditions of use. — [5]
California (US) Restricted Not allowed in California school meals or school-sold foods from December 31, 2027 (AB 2316). From Dec 31, 2027 [2]

“Banned” means explicitly prohibited or withdrawn after review; “not permitted” means never authorized there.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

Popular products that list Green 3

2 of the 17,000 most-scanned products in the US with a GoodSwap page list Green 3.

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 (9)
  • e143
  • green 3
  • fast green
  • green no 3
  • green 3 lake
  • fast green fcf
  • fd and c green 3
  • fd and c green no 3
  • fd and c green 3 lake

Sources

  1. Tracking Food Industry Pledges to Remove Petroleum Based Food Dyes

    U.S. Food and Drug Administration · Regulator

    “FD&C Green No. 3, FD&C Red No. 40, FD&C Yellow No. 5, FD&C Yellow No. 6, FD&C Blue No. 1, and FD&C Blue No. 2—by the end of 2027.”

    fda.gov

  2. California AB 2316 (2024), Pupil nutrition: substances: prohibition

    California Legislative Information · Sep 28, 2024 · Law

    “beginning December 31, 2027, would prohibit a school district, county superintendent of schools, or charter school”

    leginfo.legislature.ca.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. 21 CFR 74.203 FD&C Green No. 3

    Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), U.S. Office of the Federal Register · Dec 29, 2016 · Law

    ecfr.gov

  5. 3. List of Permitted Food Colours: Fast Green FCF (item F.1)

    Health Canada · Oct 20, 2025 · Regulator

    “If used singly, the amount not to exceed 100 ppm. If used in any combination with allura red, amaranth, brilliant blue FCF, erythrosine, indigotine, sunset yellow FCF or tartrazine, the total combined amount not to exceed 300 ppm”

    canada.ca