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Acid Red 33

Moderate concern

D&C Red No. 33 is FDA-permitted only for drug and cosmetic use — not as an FDA-listed food color in the United States.

Found in

18 products

What it is

Acid Red 33 is a synthetic monoazo dye, also known as D&C Red No. 33 (CI 17200).

Color additive — restricted to drugs and cosmetics in the US; not permitted as a direct food color.

Why it's flagged

azo dye
not permitted as direct food color in US
restricted from eye area

What regulators actually say

"D&C Red No. 33 may be safely used for coloring cosmetic lip products in amounts not to exceed 3 percent total color by weight; for externally applied drugs, mouthwashes, and dentifrices in amounts consistent with current good manufacturing practice; and for ingested drugs in amounts not to exceed 0.75 milligram per daily dose."

FDA Regulatory Status of Color Additives — D&C Red 33 — hfpappexternal.fda.gov

"FDA Summary of Color Additives lists D&C Red No. 33 as approved for drug and cosmetic use only, with eye-area restrictions."

FDA Summary of Color Additives — fda.gov

Regulatory status

United States — FDA

Listed for drug/cosmetic use under 21 CFR 74.1333 / 74.2333; not approved as a food color additive

European Union — EFSA

Approved as E102 alternatives differ; Acid Red 33 not on EU child-warning list

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