Red 2G (E128) — What You Need to Know
The score is an eNumbers.org editorial summary, not an official agency rating or medical advice. Start with the regulatory status and primary sources below.
What Is Red 2G?
Red 2G is a synthetic red azo dye that was formerly used as a food coloring, primarily in sausages and burgers in the United Kingdom. In 2007, EFSA revoked its authorization after determining it is metabolized in the body to aniline, a known carcinogen. It is one of the few cases where a previously approved food additive was completely withdrawn from the EU market based on new safety evidence.
What Is It Used For?
No longer used in any food products. It was formerly used as a red coloring in sausages, burgers, and other meat products in the UK before its EU-wide ban in 2007.
Regulatory & Editorial Context
The EU suspended the use of Red 2G (E128) in 2007 following EFSA's conclusion that it is metabolised to aniline, for which a genotoxic mechanism could not be excluded.
Commission Regulation (EC) No 884/2007 ↗EFSA revoked authorization for Red 2G in 2007 after the Scientific Panel on Food Additives concluded that it is converted in the body to aniline, a substance that is both genotoxic and carcinogenic. This was one of the rare cases where an already-approved EU food additive was withdrawn based on new safety evidence. The Panel determined that no safe level of intake could be established because the metabolite aniline is genotoxic, meaning it can damage DNA. The substance had never been approved by the FDA in the United States and was also not permitted in Canada, Japan, or Australia.
eNumbers.org currently assigns Red 2G an editorial context label of Avoid with a score of 1/10. This is 4.8 points below the database average for colorings (5.8/10). Dataset reference year: 2007.
This score is not issued by EFSA, FDA, WHO or another regulator.
Commonly Found In
Always check the label for E128 or 'Red 2G'
▶Chemical Information
Frequently Asked Questions about Red 2G
Quick Facts
- E-Number
- E128
- INS Number
- 128
- Category
- Colorings
- Origin
- Synthetic
- FDA Status
- Never approved
- EFSA Status
- Withdrawn — authorization revoked in 2007
- ADI
- Not established mg/kg bw/day
- Dataset Review
- 2007
Carriers, processing aids and product certification can change suitability. Verify the final label and certifier.
Related Additives
Other colorings in the same family