E123 — Amaranth
Why it’s used
A synthetic dark red azo dye historically used to color caviar substitutes, drinks, and confectionery; banned in the US since 1976 but still permitted in the EU in a very limited range of foods.
Other names
FD&C Red No. 2 (former), C.I. Food Red 9, C.I. 16185
Diet flags
Regulatory status
Delisted as FD&C Red No. 2 in 1976 following studies suggesting a possible carcinogenic effect in animals; not permitted for any food use since. Source (2026-07-23)
Authorised EU-wide as E123 but limited to a small number of food categories (e.g., caviar) at a low ADI of 0.15 mg/kg bw/day following EFSA's 2010 re-evaluation. Source (2026-07-23)
Regulatory status by region
The FDA revoked amaranth's food-color approval in 1976 on suspected-carcinogen grounds. The EU re-evaluated the same body of evidence decades later and concluded a low ADI (0.15 mg/kg bw/day) supports continued, narrow authorization — a genuine divergence in safety conclusions on the same substance.
EFSA's 2010 re-evaluation kept amaranth authorised but lowered its ADI and narrowed permitted categories, whereas the FDA's 1976 ban means the substance cannot be used in any US food at all.
Found in these products
None of the products in our database currently contain E123.