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Green S

Also known as: E142

High concern

Green S (E142) is a synthetic dye approved in the EU but NOT approved by FDA for use in food, drugs, or cosmetics in the United States. EFSA established an ADI of 5 mg/kg bw/day in 2010.

Found in

52 products

E-number

E142

What it is

Green S, a synthetic triarylmethane food dye (also known as Acid Brilliant Green BS, Food Green 4).

Synthetic green color additive.

Why it's flagged

Not approved by FDA for food use in US
Synthetic coal tar-derived dye
Some countries (Norway, Finland) historically restricted

What regulators actually say

"The Panel established an ADI of 5 mg/kg bw/day for Green S (E 142)."

EFSA — efsa.europa.eu

"FDA's list of approved color additives for food use does not include Green S."

FDA Color Additive Inventories — fda.gov

Regulatory status

United States — FDA

Not approved as color additive in the United States

European Union — EFSA

Approved E142; ADI of 5 mg/kg bw/day

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