Red 2g
Also known as: E128
EFSA in 2007 concluded Red 2G could not be considered safe due to genotoxic and carcinogenic concerns of its metabolite aniline. The European Commission suspended its use in 2007, and it remains banned in the EU.
What it is
Red 2G (E128) is a synthetic azo dye historically used to color meat products and sausages.
Synthetic red colorant used historically in cooked sausages and meat fillings.
Why it's flagged
- genotoxicity
- potential carcinogenicity of aniline metabolite
What regulators actually say
"On the basis of the available data ... the Panel concluded that the ADI for Red 2G of 0.1 mg/kg bw/day allocated by the SCF should be withdrawn ... Red 2G should be regarded as being of safety concern due to genotoxicity and carcinogenicity."
"The use of food colour Red 2G (E 128) should therefore be suspended ... it should be deleted from the list of food colours authorised for use in foodstuffs."
Regulatory status
United States — FDA
Not approved for food use in the United States
European Union — EFSA
Banned in EU since 2007 (Commission Regulation (EC) No 884/2007)
Scan it before you buy it
Get Ube on iOS or Android — point at any barcode, see what's actually in there.
Get the app